Manchester United once again had to settle for a draw at home in the Premier League, this time against struggling Swansea. If they continue to drop points in their remaining fixtures in the Premier League, the Red Devils will certainly miss out on a top four finish.
Jose Mourinho is determined to get Manchester United back into the Champions League next season but with six teams eyeing those coveted Champions League spot, Manchester United could miss out. However, there is still hope for them.
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Manchester United face off against Celta Vigo in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final match at Estadio de Balaídos and if they can get a win here, half their work is already done. If Manchester United miss out on a top four finish, winning the Europa League will guarantee them a place in next year's Champions League and they need a convincing victory tonight.
Celta Vigo and Manchester United are meeting for the first time ever in a European competition and neither team has reached the semi-finals of the Europa League before so they will want to make the most of this opportunity.
The team news for the home side sees defender Carles Planas misses out due to an injury while former Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi is also set to miss out due to a knee injury. Lago Aspas, who has been outstanding for Celta Vigo this season, is set to get back into the starting 11 after he was on the bench over the weekend.
Manchester United have just managed two wins in their previous 22 trips to Spain and Celta Vigo coach Eduardo Berizzo hopes that stat does not change after tonight's match.
"We hope first of all that the statistics stay as they are, just two wins away from England. How do you beat Manchester United? By being faithful to who we are. I think this team has a very clear identity, they know who they are and they believe in this identity: a lot of pressure, a lot of possession, recovering the ball quickly to attack again. The only way to beat Manchester United is to be faithful to who we are, facing such a great team," ESPN quoted Berizzo as saying.
Despite that stat, Manchester United will be the favourites to come out of this match with a win but given Manchester United's inconsistency this season, anything could happen. Also, psychologically the Red Devils might have an edge considering that Celta Vigo have lost two of their last home games.
There is some positive news for Manchester United ahead of this match as a number of key players could return. Paul Pogba and Juan Mata have both returned to training and could feature for the Red Devils tonight. Eric Bailly also took part in training despite limping out of Sunday's draw against Swansea.
The Europa League is the only competition Manchester United are yet to win and while Mourinho said he does not think much of achievements, he admitted it would be great to win.
"I know it is the only competition that Manchester United as a club have never won and it would be great to close the circle and say 'we are a club that won every single competition in the football world. Thinking about us as a team, I think it would be a good achievement with the many problems we have and would allow us back in the Champions League next season," Mourinho said.
"So we have to try, that's what we are going to do, and honestly the Europa League becomes more important for us now. Of course it depends on the result, it depends on the way we analyse the situation tomorrow after the match, but if we have to rest players next weekend, we are going to do that."
Where to watch
The Europa League first leg semi-final match between Celta Vigo and Manchester United is set to start at 8:05pm local time, 12:35am IST and 3:05pm EST.
TV and live streaming information
India: TV: TEN 1 HD, TEN 2. Live streaming: Sony Liv.
UK: TV: BT Sports 2. Live streaming: BT Sport Live.
USA: TV: Fox Sports 1. Live streaming: FOX Sports Go.
Africa: TV: SuperSport 3. Live streaming: SuperSport live.
Spain: TV: Movistar+, beIN Sports Spain. Live streaming: beIN Sports Connect España
Middle East: TV: beIN Sports Arabia. Live streaming: beIN SPORTS CONNECT Arabia
