Manchester United went into tonight’s match with much to lose: sure, they had a 1-0 lead against Celta Vigo, but the pressure was well and truly on for the Reds to follow through and make it to the Europa League final.
United fans felt pretty complacent – that is, until the dramatic finale of the game.
In all honesty, it was quite a dull match. Within the first 20 minutes United scored a goal (thanks to a brilliant cross from Marcus Rashford and a header from Marouane Fellaini).
What an assist and what a goal…. brilliant!! #Rashford #Fellaini #MUFC #MUNCEL
— Abhijith Nair (@AbhijithNair_04) May 11, 2017
A very good header from Fellaini but what a ball that was from Rashford! #MUNCEL
— Ankit Goda (@ankitgoda) May 11, 2017
From then, United fans thought they practically had the whole thing sewn up and were practically booking their flights to Stockholm.
United are going to Stockholm , get in ! #MUNCEL
— Rh?š Jønes (@RhysJones3110) May 11, 2017
Stockholm and Friends Arena here we come! #MUNCEL #EuropaLeague #ManchesterUnited
— Jesper Kihlberg (@Kihlberg90) May 11, 2017
A brilliant display from the Red's… #MUNCEL
— Jimmy_Carter(Black) (@jimretta) May 11, 2017
But in the 85th minute everything shifted dramatically, thanks to Facundo Roncaglia’s goal for Celta Vigo. This changed the entire direction of the match, as United suddenly found themselves in a very dangerous position – if Celta Vigo scored another goal, they would go through to the final.
Well, that changes things… #UEL #MUNCEL
— Tim Barley (@TimBarley) May 11, 2017
Okay last 10mins where my heart would be skipping beats #MUNCEL
— kanwal (@Kanwalmeet) May 11, 2017
Ooohhhh this prerty much a game of next goal wins #MUNCEL #UEL
— TheOriginalJDV (@james_de_Vere) May 11, 2017
This, caused United fans to completely panic. No understatement – they lost the plot.
Shocking by united. Absolutely shocking #MUNCEL
— Joe (@legendkillerjoe) May 11, 2017
I can't watch #MUNCEL
— Alex Reilly (@AlexjReilly) May 11, 2017
#ManchesterUnited fans must be freaking out just now!(Agg 2-1)#MUNCEL #mufc #UEL #SSFootball #seanknows pic.twitter.com/sN6POR4C0z
— Sean Cardovillis (@seancardo) May 11, 2017
#MUNCEL pic.twitter.com/F8liBy0L5W
— mohammed ali (@mohammedali5555) May 11, 2017
The goal really kicked a sluggish game up a notch as tensions ran high, culminating in a brawl. Both sides were awarded red cards: one for Eric Bailly and the other for goalscorer Roncaglia. Even after they got sent off, the argument continued as they walked off the pitch.
Drama drama #MUNCEL
— Monica (@MonicaC95) May 11, 2017
Well this as escalated quickly #MUNCEL #EuropaLeague
— Cj (@cjbaggie) May 11, 2017
Just to make sure that no United fans were left without heart palpitations, in the last minute it looked like Giudetti was going to get a goal and dash United’s hopes. Luckily for the Reds, he fluffed his chance.
How did Guidetti miss that!? Actually dont care one bit… Stockholm here we come!! ?? #MUFC #MUNCEL
— Mike Anderson (@andersurf1184) May 11, 2017
This means that United are through to the final – although that can’t have been an easy match to watch for fans.
I just died a hundred deaths!!!! 6mins of my life just flashed past. @ManUtd chai!!!! #MUNCEL
— Lady Calista Atogbo (@callypepper) May 11, 2017
The last few seconds nearly killed me #MUNCEL
— Danny Rand ???? (@MDH17forever) May 11, 2017
#MUFC aka the squad the shortens their supporters lives #MUNCEL #EuropaLeagueFOXSports
— Grant Smith (@grant4749) May 11, 2017
It was far closer than anyone would have cared for, and undoubtedly not something that Mourinho would want to repeat in Stockholm on May 24.
