Match Preview: Man United vs Celta Vigo
- Red Reveal
- May 10, 2017
- 3 min read
We didn't have to wait for long to put away Sunday's disappointing defeat in London with another crunch fixture on the cards in yet another big European night.
"Arsenal beat Manchester United but nobody really cared not even Jose the game was clearly just a nuisance for him" thats what Phil Neville remarked after the defeat at the Emirates.
I can't confirm nor deny that was the case but all I know is that all our eggs are in the Europa League basket and we simply have to finish the job that's halfway done.
The match kick-offs at 10:05 PM under the Old Trafford floodlights and will be broadcast live on BT Sport in the UK but as usual here in Africa and beyond, we always have you covered with free livestream sites. (http://cricfree.sc/football-live-stream)
You can also view the lineup, half-time and full-time updates on our social media pages in case you won't be watching the action itself.
We already have one foot in the final that will be held in Stockholm, Sweden no 24th May. That is after we won and kept a clean sheet a week ago in Spain.
With the final now beckoning we have no choice but to avoid a scare and finish the job that will guarantee us a trophy that we have never won before and a much coveted Champions League spot for next season.
Some early team news for you...
We know pretty well that Tim Fosuh Mensah, Ashley Young, Luke Shaw, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo are out for the season so they will play no part in this and other forthcoming fixtures.
Eric Bailly and Antonio Valencia are likely to start after being rested against Arsenal
However, there's a major boost especially in defense where Phil Jones and Chris Smalling played the full match at the Emirates.
Juan Mata also made his timely return to action after injury so that's another attacking option.
Mourinho revealed he would field the freshest team available meaning Eric Bailly, Paul Pogba, Antonio Valencia, Daley Blind, Marcus Rashford and Sergio Romero could all return to the starting lineup.
Marouane Fellaini could also be selected with his ban only applying in the Premier League.
Both teams current form...
Well our long impressive 25 game unbeaten-run came to an end on Sunday although it did ensure we remained in the hunt for the top four all season.
However we have an unbeaten run of our own in Europe having won all 6 home ties in the Europa League averaging 3 goals per game.
Celta Vigo maybe in midtable in La Liga but are currently unbeaten away from home in the Europa League, having won 5 and drawn 1 of their 6 away matches.
We'll have to score early to settle the game as soon as possible, we can't risk underestimating a team that thrashed Shakhtar Donetsk away from home in the previous round.
Any players to watch?
Well former Liverpool striker Iago Aspas remains their main man, with his 17 La Liga goals this season ensuring he is the highest scoring Spaniard in their league.
Eric Bailly will have to keep an eye on him throughout.
Well, Marcus Rashford seems to be repaying Mourinho's faith with impressive performances, so I wouldn't bet against him finding the net tomorrow.
Marcos Rashford could silence Celta Vigo yet again when he scores tomorrow.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is always a threat in Europe for us this season, so they'll have their work cut out to contain the Armenian.
Those are just some of the key players who could individually influence this vital game, but we'll hope to see more of a collective team effort rather than individual brilliance when the whistle blows.
Some match facts for me?
United has not lost any of the last 17 home European games since Mourinho and his Madrid team won 2-1 in the 2012/2013 Champions League.
Celta Vigo have lost their last four games against English opposition including last week's defeat.
They have won 3 of their last 5 matches in England, losing the other 2.
Anything else I should know?
Well the other semifinal will also be taking place at the same time in France as Lyon attempt to overturn a 4-1 deficit they suffered in the Netherlands against Ajax.
We look on course to face the Dutch side in Sweden as they're heavy favorites to dump the French side.
Regardless of whatever happens in that tie, our very own showdown promises to be an epic match and only one thing will leave us smiling: A comfortable win and a ticket to the final.
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