United through to Europa League semi-finals

United through to Europa League semi-finals

Manchester United made it through to the semi-finals of the Europa League by keeping our season alive in the most ridiculously emotional way possible.

Two goals up at the break, through Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot, things were looking plain sailing for Ruben Amorim’s Reds.

But Lyon had other ideas and forced extra-time with efforts by Corentin Tolisson and Nicolas Tagliafico. Despite losing skipper Tolisso to a second yellow card, the French side were impressive in the extra-time period.

Rayan Cherki blasted them in front and Alexandre Lacazette converted a penalty to seemingly dump United out.

Yet, somehow, from the depths of despair, Ruben’s men dragged ourselves back from the brink as Old Trafford exploded with unbridled passion and joy.

Bruno Fernandes kept his cool to reduce the deficit with a spot-kick, awarded by VAR after Casemiro was kicked in the box, and it set up a grandstand finish of epic proportions, despite the visitors doing their utmost to run down the clock.

Casemiro’s deft pass allowed Kobbie Mainoo to do what he does best, swishing a quite beautiful finish wide of Lucas Perri. The roof came off this famous old stadium but it was just to a prelude to what was to follow seconds later.

Again, Casemiro was the creator and Harry Maguire nodded in to spark absolute bedlam.

So what does the 7-6 aggregate win mean now?

United are through to the two-legged semi-finals, with the away leg first at Athletic Club on Thursday 1 May, kicking off at 20:00 BST.

The Bilbao side, who are hosting the final, saw off dogged Rangers 2-0 thanks to Oihan Sancet and a penalty by Nico Williams, after a goalless draw at Ibrox.

The second leg is at the Theatre of Dreams, on 8 May, with the same start time and you just have to get yourselves here if you possibly can.

Tottenham Hotspur also made it through, with a splendid away win at Eintracht Frankfurt, as Dominic Solanke scored a first-half penalty, to triumph 2-1 on aggregate.

Bodo/Glimt’s amazing trophy dream continues as they shocked Lazio 3-2 on penalties, following a 3-1 reverse in Rome in the second leg.

EUROPA LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS 

Athletic Club  v UNITED
Tottenham Hotspur v Bodo/Glimt

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