Manchester United’s players have given their thoughts on the Europa League adventure ahead of the final on Wednesday evening against Tottenham Hotspur.
A journey that began on the 25th September with a 1-1 draw with FC Twente, will come to an end in just two days in Bilbao.
United have played 14 times in the competition and are impressively yet to be beaten in any games, despite some close shaves.
Speaking to the club’s official website ahead of the final, a number of United’s young stars have given their take on what has been an exciting journey to date.
When asked about the greatest moment in the run to the final, the majority of the players were very much on the same page that it was the last-gasp 5-4 victory over Olympique Lyonnais at the quarter-final stage.
Alejandro Garnacho asserted, “as a team it was the comeback against Lyon. It was a crazy game and amazing to live. I was on the bench at this moment but I ran all the way across the pitch to be there (celebrating Harry Maguire’s stoppage time winner). Yeah, everything was crazy inside the stadium.”
Kobbie Mainoo, who scored the crucial equaliser for the Red Devils moments before Maguire’s sensational winner responded, “yeah, the Lyon game. It was a crazy game, had its ups and downs but it ended well for us.”
Diogo Dalot was also in agreement and claimed that the win would not only have major significance for this season but for many to come.
“Not just for this season but for the upcoming seasons, it will stick to the memory for every Manchester United fan and the players. In general, I would say it is the best feeling we’ve had this season.”
Dalot suggested that the players have and will use it as a source of inspiration moving into next season and of course, the final.
He said, “the fact that we’ve been through so many things this season, in terms of emotions, results and not being consistent. But even in that adversity, even in what would have been the lowest moment, we were able to find that hunger to fight for the result. I think that is what this club is about. Man United is all about moments sometimes, about these European nights and I think it was special.”
When the players were asked to comment on their trip to the final, most mentioned the fact that the team was unbeaten in the 14 matches leading up to the showdown versus Spurs.
January recruit Ayden Heaven commented, “I think it’s brilliant. We haven’t lost a game and I don’t think many teams have done that.”
Fellow new boy, Patrick Dorgu, also claimed that “I think it’s been good since I came here, I think we have dominated most of the teams and it’s going well so far.”
Dalot also highlighted the consistency of the run and asserted that the team should look at the string of unbeaten games as a very big positive. The fullback also highlighted the complexity of playing so many teams from different countries that have very different football styles and cultures to what they are used to facing in England.
Finally, the players were quick to highlight that despite the joy of the campaign, it will mean little if they do not pick up the trophy on Wednesday night.
Dalot claimed, “now we have to do it for one more game in the final, in the one that matters the most” while Garnacho added, “everyone knows we have to win European titles, so it is very important for us.”
Finally Mainoo opined, “we need to finish the job in Bilbao again. Yeah, that is the only way that will make it a positive memory.”
Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
