THE VERDICT: UNITED 1 CELTA 1
Old Trafford shook to the strains of ‘United are going to Stockholm’ it showed just what the Europa League has become for Manchester United.
Try telling the overworked airline booking staff and the travel agents who’ll be bombarded with requests for flights and accommodation that the Reds aren’t interested in Uefa’s second tier tournament.
It will be bedlam on the internet as United fans try by hook or by crook to get to Scandinavia in a fortnight.
No matter the more glamorous and glittering occasions United have graced down the years for the present and the future this means everything.
Jose Mourinho ‘s hugs with his staff on the touchline as Old Trafford erupted on the final whistle said it all.
It may not have meant much last August but it does now.
And if Marouane Fellaini is in the XI on May 24 then Twitter should no longer go into meltdown at his inclusion.
There were plenty on social media wondering just what Mourinho sees in Fellaini.
They questioned why the Reds boss sticks by the Belgian who gets far more flak than fanmail.
He has been idiotic at times most notably when he was sent off in the recent Manchester derby for a head butt.
But then he does pop up at times to justify his manager’s faith.
United might not have had the opportunity to have won Mourinho’s first trophy for the club back in February in the EFL Cup but for his late goal at Old Trafford in the semi final first leg against Hull City.
It gave United a vital cushion when the travelled east to Humberside for the second leg.
And last night the man who tends to put everyone’s nerves on edge actually calmed them.
Celta Vigo appeared to freeze in the Estadio Balaidos last Thursday on their big Euro night but were far more relaxed and dangerous at Old Trafford. They were settling into the match and Marcus Rashford’s goal in Galicia looked like it might not be enough. But just when the Spaniards were chipping away at United’s confidence, Rashford brilliantly floated a cross to the far post for Fellaini to meet with his customary header. The hawkers on Sir Matt Busby Way will be reAS Fellaini (17) Roncaglia (85) 33% 67% 11 16 4 6 75,138 Blind, Herrera Cabral, Aspas Bailly Roncaglia Oliver Hategan ordering a batch of Fellaini black wigs again soon!
United didn’t really build on what should have been a 17 minute soother.
It says much how United don’t really frighten opponents enough these days that Celta sensed they might still actually be heading to Stockholm themselves at the shock expense of the Reds.
But fortunately thanks to Fellaini the three goals they needed was a mountain.
United have made it to their first European final since 2011 and credit for that but it hasn’t been a thrill-a-minute convincing road to Stockholm.
They’ve made it to the Friends Arena on May 24 without actually making too many friends for scintillating football. Maybe that is to come in the future.