Manchester United made easy work of the second leg tie against French side Saint-Etienne as they ran out 4-0 winners over two legs. Manchester United opened the scoring, owing to some poor defending from the Monaco back-line. Juan Mata who drifted onto the left put a low cross into the box for Henrik Mkhitaryan to apply the faintest of touches and earn United an away goal which proved to be enough on the night.
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Eric Bailly was sent off in the second half, due to two yellow card offenses, as Manchester United held on to their lead with ten men. The home team did have a couple of chances but never did trouble birthday boy Sergio Romero.
Here are the talking points from the game.
#1 Manchester United and Jose Mourinho are taking the Europa League very seriously
All those questioned Jose's seriousness about the Europa League were put to bed with the starting lineup put out by the Manchester United on Wednesday. Three days ahead of the League Cup final, United fans would have probably forgiven the Portuguese for playing a weaker team.
But, as the team sheet was out, it looked more like the team that a manager would field for a Cup final rather than the second leg of a tie which you’re already winning 3-0. Apart from Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini and Sergio Romero this might be the team which lines up on Sunday.
It is refreshing to see how the importance of the Europa League, since the winner began to be awarded a Champions League spot.
#2 Juan Mata has silently been excellent for Manchester United
Juan Mata might not have done anything headline worthy for Manchester United, but he has gone about his business in a very efficient manner as he always seems to do. The diminutive playmaker now has nine goals for the season, second only to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s tally of 24 goals for the season.
The Spaniard might not have always started, but his contribution to the cause is as important as any. “The football we want to play here (Manchester United) is different. We are at the beginning of that process. I think Mata is very adept to do that with his qualities. We need players with these qualities. He has found a natural habitat.” Indeed Jose, right call.
#3 Saint-Etienne are still couple of steps behind the top clubs in France
Saint-Etienne are the most successful domestic side in France, with an incredible 10 Ligue 1 titles to their name. The probably have the best supporters in the country as well and have one of the most intimidating of stadiums for an away team to visit.
But, they’re still one or two steps behind the top dogs in France like Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon, and Monaco who have the financial power to pull the top stars to their clubs. Out of the current crop of players, only Kévin Monnet-Paquet and Kévin Malcuit seem to have the potential to become world class.
Their last trophy of any kind was the Ligue 2 title in 2002-03 season, too long for a club of the stature of St Etienne to go without a major trophy.
#4 Michael Carrick probably deserves a contract extension
Given the amount of investment in the Manchester United squad in the last three years or so, it is very surprising that their two best players this season have been 35-year-old. Manchester United have lost only one game in almost four months now, and a big part of that is Michael Carrick.
The midfielder has been brilliant whenever he has played for Manchester United this season, proven by the fact that United have lost just one of the fifteen games he has played for 90 minutes in the red shirt. Not only that, United have won twelve of those games, drawing just two.
“I see many positive things in Carrick, but I cannot go to his identity cards and delete five years. He is not 30”, but an extra year won’t hurt, would it Jose?
#5 Injuries to Henrik Mkhitaryan and Michael Carrick the only real negative for Manchester United
Jose’s tactics of playing a full strength team would have been lauded by many, but when your best two players pick up injuries, it is a real worry. Especially if you have to play a cup final in three days.
Henrik Mkhitaryan picked up a hamstring injury in the first half, and Michael Carrick went off with a calf strain. Speaking after the match, the Manchester United manager said, “With three days a hamstring and calf, even if it's a minor injury, I always think three days [there is] no time.”
“You can be injured leaving your house; you can be injured in the garden. You never know when and why. You always have the risk of it but when somebody is missing it's the opportunity for another one.”"Obviously they are important players for us and not to have them both for the final is complicated,” he continued.
Well, you can’t really be injured in a garden.
