in

Roma 3 Man Utd 2 (agg 5-8): Edinson Cavani on fire as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer finally ends semi-final curse


OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER pasta the test against the Italians.

Now can he help make England the toast of Europe?

Edinson Cavani scored twice as Man Utd held on to reach the Europa League finalCredit: EPA
Edinson Cavani is mobbed by his Manchester United team-matesCredit: EPA

Manchester City and Chelsea are dining at the top table in the Champions League so that’s one coming home.

Manchester United now have to beat Villarreal in the Europa league.

That achievement won’t get quite the same kudos but it is still silverware.

And Red Devils fans who were in Stockholm in 2017 will remember the celebrations when Jose Mourinho paraded the old Uefa Cup in front of the fans. The atmosphere was fantastic.

That was the last trophy United lifted.

Now after falling at the final hurdle in their last four semi-finals, the Red Devils are in a cup final again and favourites to win it.

The Europa league may not resonate with any of the Treble trophies that Solskjaer was involved in as a player in 1999, it will probably mean more now that he is a manager.

There were plenty of doubts when he was appointed.

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

Cavani heads in a crucial second just as Roma were gaining momentumCredit: AP
David de Gea made a huge number of saves as Roma pushed for goalsCredit: Getty

But he is pushing United in the right direction and few can doubt the job he is doing.

From third last season to second this. From semis to a final.

Their superb performance in the second-half of the first leg when they came from 2-1 down to win 6-2 made this second leg almost irrelevant.

I mean they even started Donny van de Beek – that’s how sure Solskjaer was.

Edin Dzeko headed home from close rangeCredit: PA
Bryan Cristante then scored three minutes later to give Roma hopeCredit: EPA

Still, both managers were aware that in April 2018 Roma recovered from a 4-1 first leg Champions League quarter-final defeat to Barcelona to win the second 3-0 to go through.

No such shocks looked on the cards and the hopes of the Serie A side were extinguished for good when on 39 minutes Edinson Cavani raced on to a through ball from Fred to fire home.

There are some strikers who you are not sure of in those positions, Cavani you put your house on.

Roma rallied with two goals in three minutes from Edin Dzeko in the 57th and Bryan Cristante in the 60th.

Nicola Zalewski’s winner on the night came too lateCredit: AP
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Edinson Cavani embrace after he was subbed offCredit: PA

David De Gea had to make three point blank saves to avoid further damage before Cavani headed home United’s second on 68 minute to settle any nerves there might have been.

After two goals, two assists and a penalty won in the first leg this has been some tie for the Uruguayan.

Roma would at least claim victory on the night with Nicola Zalaweski’s 83rd minute winner but by then the champagne was already on the ice.

Destination Gdansk where they hope to pop it open.

Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


Tagcloud:

Billy Joe Saunders could fight Canelo Alvarez on a FOOTBALL PITCH and still not avoid Mexican’s punches