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Manchester United secured a 8-5 aggregate win over AS Roma in their UEFA Europa League semi-final fixture - despite a 3-2 defeat on the night - to book a spot in the final.
The Italians, trailing 6-2 from the first leg of their semi-final tie, began their quest to wipe out Manchester United’s four-goal cushion in an aggressive manner at the start of the game. However, they were denied by sharp reactions from David de Gea in the opposition goal.
The Serie A giants were then punished for their profligacy at the other end as Edinson Cavani powered Manchester United into the lead in the 39th minute, strengthening the visitors’ position in the tie.
However, as was the case in the first leg, AS Roma turned the game around with two goals in quick succession. They first found the back of the net through Edin Dzeko before Bryan Cristante handed his side the lead.
Just when AS Roma were close to pulling another goal back, history repeated itself as Bruno Fernandes set up Cavani, as he did with Manchester United 2-1 down in the first leg, to pull the visitors level and settle a few nerves in the Red Devils camp.
However, that was where the similarities to the first leg ended, as Nicola Zalewski’s 83rd-minute volley was deflected into his own net by Alex Telles to hand the hosts the lead once again. The Italian side managed to maintain the lead until the final whistle to secure some pride on the night.
On that note, here are the player ratings for both sides from a thoroughly entertaining Europa League semi-final second leg.
AS Roma player ratings against Manchester United
Antonio Mirante: 5/10
AS Roma’s veteran keeper had no chance of saving either of Manchester United’s goals. Apart from those goals, he was not too troubled by the Red Devils' attackers during the game.
Rick Karsdorp: 6/10
The Dutchman was a constant threat down AS Roma’s right flank, offering himself up as a willing attacking outlet and giving Luke Shaw and Alex Telles a lot of trouble with his pace and physicality.
Chris Smalling: 4/10
Having had a disappointing reunion with his former side in the first leg, Chris Smalling had an even worse time in the second leg. The Englishman had a couple of nervy moments in defence before injury forced him off with just half an hour played.
Gianluca Mancini: 5/10
Whether he was throwing himself into challenges near his own goal or attacking the ball near the opposition’s, Mancini was heavily involved at both ends of the pitch without making a telling impact.
Roger Ibanez: 5/10
Playing on the left side of AS Roma’s back three, Ibanez looked solid in defence and did well to keep Mason Greenwood under wraps. However, he was unable to help his defensive colleagues deal with the threat of Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes when Manchester United broke forward with pace.
Bruno Peres: 5/10
AS Roma’s left wing-back ran up and down the flank without offering much penetration. His physical exertions seemed to finally get the better of him just before he was taken off for Santon in the 70th minute.
Bryan Cristante: 6/10
Having played in defence in the first leg, the Italy international was restored to his rightful place in midfield for this game. He capped off an impressive display with a crisp long-range effort that flew into the far corner to give his side the lead on the night.
Pedro: 6/10
The former Chelsea winger caused Manchester United all sorts of problems with his darting runs down the right flank. He claimed an assist for Edin Dzeko’s equaliser with a fortuitous cross/shot hybrid.
Lorenzo Pellegrini: 6/10
The Roma skipper replicated his fine showing in the first leg with a similarly polished performance in the second, keeping the ball moving in midfield and urging his side to attack until the final whistle.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 5/10
The former Manchester United man was full of energy and ideas but was unable to execute his plans. He came close to scoring on a couple of occasions only to be denied either by De Gea or the woodwork.
Edin Dzeko: 7/10
As was the case in the first leg, the Roma frontman was a handful for the Manchester United defence. He used his experience and physicality to cause problems in the Red Devils box and was rewarded for his efforts with a well-worked goal.
Substitutes
Ebrima Darboe: 5/10
A first-half replacement for the injured Smalling, 19-year-old Ebrima Darboe slotted comfortably into the Roma midfield. He was calm and composed in possession and was largely unfazed by the occasion or the opposition.
Davide Santon: 6/10
Having replaced Peres in the second half, Davide Santon capped a solid defensive display with the game-winning assist, setting up fellow substitute Zalewski for the winner with a probing cross.
Borja Mayoral: N.A.
The Real Madrid loanee replaced Dzeko late on but was not able to affect the game much during his time on the pitch.
Nicola Zalewski: 6/10
The 19-year-old was AS Roma’s match-winner on the night, as it was his strike that Telles deflected into his own net to give the Italian outfit victory.
Manchester United player ratings against AS Roma
David de Gea: 7/10
Even though David de Gea has seen his playing time decrease of late, he produced a string of fine saves throughout the game and was one of UEFA Europa League’s top performers despite conceding three goals.
If it wasn't for De Gea’s excellent reflexes and assured handling, the Red Devils could easily have conceded more goals.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 6/10
The Manchester United right-back turned in another accomplished performance, looking solid in defence and offering a willing outlet in attack. However, a first-half booking prompted his substitution at the half-time interval.
Eric Bailly: 5/10
As has been the case many times this season, the Ivorian slotted seamlessly into the Manchester United defence after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. He looked quite comfortable alongside Harry Maguire, despite the scoreline suggesting otherwise.
Harry Maguire: 5/10
The Manchester United captain was a calming influence on his fellow defenders, making a number of timely interceptions to keep AS Roma at bay even as the hosts pressed forward with great intent.
Luke Shaw: 6/10
Although he had to deal with the dual threat of Pedro and Karsdorp, Luke Shaw held his own and offered just as much of a threat going the other way.
Like Wan-Bissaka, Shaw was also taken off at half-time, with several important fixtures coming up in quick succession for Manchester United.
Donny van de Beek: 5/10
It was a rare start for Donny van de Beek, who looked slightly out of place on the left wing. Despite being involved in some nice link-up play with his teammates, he gave the ball away on a couple of occasions in his haste to make an impact on proceedings.
Fred: 6/10
Fred produced a mixed bag in his typically combative and tenacious performance. He registered an assist with a precise pass that one might expect from one of his more attack-minded midfield companions. However, the Brazilian was also caught in possession in the build-up to AS Roma’s second goal.
Mason Greenwood: 5/10
The Manchester United youngster looked threatening on occasion but did not seem to have his shooting boots on, missing one particularly inviting chance in the second half.
Bruno Fernandes: 7.5/10
The Portugal international ran the show for Manchester United from midfield, showcasing his incisive passing and admirable energy levels. He claimed an assist for Cavani’s second goal before going off late in the second half.
Paul Pogba: 5/10
It was a largely uneventful outing for the Frenchman, who quietly kept things ticking over in midfield for Manchester United before being replaced by Nemanja Matic just after the hour mark.
Edinson Cavani: 8/10
It was a profitable outing for the veteran striker, who was guilty of missing a couple of gilt-edged chances in the first half. He eventually proved his worth with a supremely well-taken brace before being replaced by Marcus Rashford midway through the second half.
Substitutes
Brandon Williams: 5/10
The half-time substitute did not have much to do during his time on the pitch as the majority of the action happened on the other flank. However, he performed his defensive and attacking duties with minimal fuss and bother.
Alex Telles: 4/10
While the Brazilian always carries a formidable attacking threat, his defending is still in need of polishing. His poor positioning allowed AS Roma lots of space down his flank and led directly to two of their three goals.
Nemanja Matic: 5/10
The experienced midfielder replaced Paul Pogba in the second half as Manchester United looked to inject some solidity into their midfield. He was a physical presence in the middle of the pitch but could do little about the goals his side ended up conceding.
Marcus Rashford: 5/10
Replacing Edinson Cavani for the final 15 minutes, Marcus Rashford was given a couple of opportunities to showcase his pace and skill but was unable to leave his mark on proceedings.
Juan Mata: N.A.
The Spaniard came on for Bruno Fernandes for the final five minutes and could only get in a couple of touches before the final whistle blew.
