Europa League

EDINSON CAVANI gave Manchester United the push they needed and Roma’s Rick Karsdorp a shove he wasn’t expecting – as the striker raced in to defend team-mate Mason Greenwood.Cavani followed his first-leg double with two more as United lost 3-2 in Italy but earned a Europa League final with Villarreal 8-5 on aggregate.

And the Uruguay legend, whose traditional centre-forward play has transformed United’s attacking, was just as sharp in backing up Greenwood as he was in tormenting the Roma rearguard.
Greenwood initially clashed with Roma’s Italy midfielder Gianluca Mancini after a challenge near the corner flag.
But when six-foot Holland right-back Karsdorp joined in by pushing the 19-year-old England frontman, Cavani dashed in to intervene.
The former PSG hero Cavani firmly planted two arms on Karsdorp to move him away – with referee Felix Brych stuck in the middle of the clash.
Cavani’s energy on and off the ball, as much as his class and finishing, shone in more conventional ways throughout the rest of the game.
And United skipper Harry Maguire told BT Sport: “Edinson scored two great goals and his movement and work rate without the ball is excellent.
“His second goal is typical of him and what he has done throughout his career.”
Maguire is now demanding they beat Arsenal’s conquerors Villarreal in the May 26 showpiece in Gdansk.
The England centre-back said: “It’s a great achievement to get to the final.
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“We didn’t win the game and that’s disappointing but we did the hard work in the first leg.
“We started the game a bit edgy. It was end to end like basketball and we gave them too many chances in the second half.
“Now we’ve got to go to the final and win it.”
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“We need to improve for the final, but it’s a great achievement!”Harry Maguire had praise for David De Gea and Edinson Cavani’s performances after Man Utd qualified for the #UEL final 👏 🎙️ @patrickendrick pic.twitter.com/m2GilrCBuT— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 6, 2021 More

DAVID DE GEA outshone even two-goal master Edinson Cavani as cavalier Manchester United lost 3-2 in Roma – but reached the Europa League final 8-5 on aggregate.Bruno Fernandes was his usual stylish self, heavily involved in both Cavani goals, on a night when midfielder Donny van de Beek wasted another European chance to impress.
David de Gea was super throughout, suggesting he could yet reclaim his Premier League place from Dean HendersonCredit: AFP
Edinson Cavani smashed United in front just before the interval and then headed their second goal as Roma won 3-2 on the nightCredit: Getty
Here’s how United’s players rated as they reached their eighth major European final- to face Arsenal’s semi-final conquerors Villarreal.
DAVID DE GEA – 9/10
Stunning performance, especially in the first-half, suggesting it’s not impossible he could reclaim the regular No1 shirt from Dean Henderson.
Began his opening-period heroics with a low reflex save from da Silva Peres’ close-range shot in just the third minute. Continued them with a strong two-handed diving stop from Mancini.
And peaked it all with another example of standing up well until the last second, as he kept out Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s fierce shot with his left hand – while moving the other way.
Handled immaculately after the break.
But he had no chance with Edin Dzeko’s headed equaliser, Cristante’s thumping finish or Zalewski’s on-the-night winner, before making two more fine blocks.
AARON WAN-BISSAKA – 6
Untroubled at right-back before being taken off as a caution at half-time.
Notably less natural and confident at overlapping than fellow full-back Luke Shaw, but tight, athletic defending is what you expect and nearly always get from Wan-Bissaka.
ERIC BAILLY – 6
Rarely tested as much as he might have hoped before the break, given his ongoing battle with Victor Lindelof to be the first-choice partner for Harry Magure in central defence.
Looked comfortable moving forward. But can hardly be happy with the number of chances Roma created during a second-half purple patch.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 6
Sauntered through the first half, striding forward once to particular effect.
But could do little to help United regain control when Roma suddenly netted twice to take the lead on the night by the hour mark as the visitors’ backline briefly looked a complete mess.
Donny van de Beek was given another opportunity to stake a claim for more regular Man Utd starts but was again mutedCredit: Getty
LUKE SHAW – 6
Caught in possession in shocking fashion early on, but strode down the left with a bit more swagger after that.
Nonetheless, this was not quite a performance to encourage those who think he should be England’s first-choice left-back ahead of Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell. Replaced by Alex Telles at the interval.
FRED – 7
Delivered the perfectly-weighted ball from which Cavani smashed United in front on 40 minutes. Then his calm pass slipped in Greenwood for a reasonable chance.
Was less influential after the break, and his satisfactory contribution for an unsung anchor midfielder was tarnished by Roma’s second goal.
Was robbed after attempting a trick, although Cristante’s superb 22-yard finish was still a harsh punishment.
PAUL POGBA – 6
Played as a pivot along with Fred – rather than in his recent more attacking role.
At times looked like he had the potential to dictate play from deep off either foot. But it was a so-so night by his high standards before Matic replaced him on 64 minutes.
Paul Pogab played as one of two more defensive Man Utd midfielders, alongside FredCredit: Getty
DONNY VAN DE BEEK – 5
Again looked like the shy lad who is tongue-tied after asking out the girl of his dreams.
Seems nice, and bright, but without doing enough to even believe himself he deserves another chance.
Muted performance, once more on the fringes of the action. But his determined and neat work set up Fernandes for a firm shot well saved midway through the second period.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 8
Supplied a stream of imperious, influential touches – in total contrast to ‘attacking’ midfield team-mate Van de Beek.
Best of all were two outside-of-the boot flicks, especially to upgrade a fluid moe to something much more special, with Fred running onto it to tee up Cavani’s opener.
Greenwood wasted an opportunity from another glimpse of Fernandes’ swagger and vision. Then the Portugal star’s nonchalant control and a confident angled cross split the Roma defence for Cavani to head his second goal.
MASON GREENWOOD – 6
Flickered dangerously, going close in each half with firm shots.
But is not yet the out-and-out striker United crave as a long-term successor to Cavani, nor is he likely to ever be a natural wideman or No10.
EDINSON CAVANI – 8
The livewire legend’s two goals, wily movement and general presence made for an ideal exhibion of the centre-forwards craft.
Thumped home the United opener and timed his run smoothly to head his second goal with power and precision. Went close on at least four other occasios, but mostly through his awareness and ingenuity than wastefulness. Replaced by Rashford to save him amid a busy schedule..
Now has five goals in his last four matches – and an incredible 13 in 14 against Roma.
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SUBS
ALEX TELLES (for Shaw, 45 mins) – 5. Positionally vulnerable when Roma caused huge problems for United’s defence in the third quarter of the match. Attacked more after that.
BRANDON WILLIAMS (for Wan Bissaka, 45 mins) – 5. Steady but not by enough to suggest he can earn a recall.
NEMANJA MATIC (for Pogba, 64 mins) – 6. Quietly did his job
MARCUS RASHFORD (for Cavani, 73 mins) – 6. Slotted in well out wide.
JUAN MATA (for Fernandes, 84 mins) – 6. Too late to get involved.
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IF one man at Manchester United is pleased about their crazy schedule over the next week then it will be Donny van de Beek.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team played the first of FOUR matches in just seven days in Rome on Thursday night.
Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek can expect to get more action in the next week as Man Utd have a packed programme of gamesCredit: Getty
Striker Edinson Cavani finished lethally to put Man Utd in front on the nightCredit: Getty
And within that mad run, there will surely be scope for their Dutch midfielder to finally make his mark for the Red Devils.
If so, he will need to show a bit more than he did in this rare 90 minute outing.
The 24-year-old was picked to start here for only the 13th time in what has been a deeply frustrating first season in England.
The joke doing the rounds among United fans at the weekend was that the anti-Glazer protesters who forced their way into Old Trafford on Sunday spent more time on the pitch than van de Beek has this season.
Van de Beek has managed just 65 minutes of action since his last start – the disappointing FA Cup defeat to Leicester back on March 21.
And that was spread across five sub appearances.
Last time he started a game that United won was in the same competition against West Ham back in February.

Yet here was a perfect chance for him to make an impression and show why United beat off a host of top clubs to sign him last summer.
Solskjaer said before kick off: “Donny has been really good in training. We’re going to see lots of rotation in midfield with Donny, Bruno and Paul in there.”
The idea was that the quick passing among those three would mean United dominated the ball and Roma had to feed off scraps.
Yet for much of the first half he was anonymous out on the left – with the Italian side having some joy down his flank.
The £35million ace clearly has a touch of class and occasionally shows glimpses of what he can do.
There was the moment when he linked up with Luke Shaw to create a chance which Bruno Fernandes curled wide.
Dony van de Beek produced glimpses of creativity but Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes were again far more prominentCredit: AFP
And he created another opening for the Portuguese in the second half with more neat approach play down his wing.
But there was not much else significant from him with Fernandes and Cavani doing most of the damage for the visitors.
The word at United is that they plan to persevere with him next season rather than looking to sell or send him out on loan.
Former United keeper Edwin van der Sar, now an executive at Ajax, said this week he just needs a break.
He said: “Of course I feel sad for Donny. He walked the perfect path before joining United.
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“Their midfield is too stacked. They’ve not had any injuries – it’s hard for him.”
Because of the quality United have in that stacked midfield, Van de Beek is going to have to show more than this to get a regular game.
More chances should come in the next few days – and he needs to take one of them.
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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.
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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.
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