Manchester United are firm favourites to reach the Europa League final after a 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo in the semi-final first leg at Balaidos. United certainly made hard work of it, as they missed chance after chance in the first half, but Marcus Rashford’s free-kick in the second period proved to be the difference in Galicia.
With the away goal in the bag, United are the firmest of favourites to head to Stockholm in search of their first success in this competition.
Let's take a look at the player ratings from the Europa League encounter between Celta Vigo and Manchester United
Celta Vigo
Sergio Alvarez: 7/10
Would have a higher mark had he not taken that step to his left for Rashford’s free-kick. If he had stayed put, he may well have saved it. In the first half, he denied United time and again with a string of fine saves.
Hugo Mallo: 5/10
The footwork and movement of Henrikh Mkhitaryan got Mallo turning all the time. His passing really let him down, as he finished the game with a poor pass completion rate of just under 56 percent.
Gustavo Cabral: 6/10
Had real problems with Rashford and lost Jesse Lingard for two clear chances that the United man should have put away.
Facundo Roncaglia: 6/10
Celta’s best defender. Strong in the tackle, the skipper did his utmost to keep United at bay in the first half. Plenty of timely interceptions, but was stretched by Rashford.
Jonny: 7/10
A real asset in attack, and one of the few Celta players who took the game to United. No player in sky blue made more key passes in the match than the left-back.
Pablo Hernandez: 6/10
Won three times the amount of aerial duels than that of any team-mate, and passed the ball well. However, often left his man as United dominated in the first half.
Nemanja Radoja: 6/10
Another who looked laboured when tracking back. Left Mkhitaryan for a big chance in the first half. Finished the match with the best passing accuracy on the pitch.
Iago Aspas: 5/10
Disappointing night for the local lad. Drifted in and out of the game for long periods. Had two efforts, but didn’t find the target. Struggled to get in the game at all.
Daniel Wass: 6/10
Missed a huge chance early on which could have changed result. With little movement ahead of him, he really struggled to create anything. Passed up some big chances to thread the ball through.
Pione Sisto: 6/10
Almost got his side back in it late on with a fine effort, and completed more dribbles than any player in sky blue. A real talent, but needs to find that end product.
John Guidetti: 4/10
Talked a really good game pre-match, but failed to walk the walk. Did not get involved in the match at all. Starved of service, but his hold up play wasn’t good enough for a lone striker.
Substitutes
Jozabed: 6/10
United were in control and his introduction didn’t really affect proceedings. One late chance wasted.
Manchester United
Sergio Romero: 7/10
Has only conceded five goals in the United shirt this season, and you can see why. Very dependable. Will have busier evenings, but was alert when called upon. Fine late save from Sisto effort.
Matteo Damian: 6/10
Solid showing. The Italian looked assured when called upon. No player in red made more interceptions or clearances than the full-back.
Antonio Valencia: 6/10
Captain for the evening continued to look very much a fully fledged right-back. Aspas never gave him any trouble, but got forward well, without producing that final ball.
Eric Bailly: 6/10
Only had 28 touches all game, which tells its own story. Looked a little shaky in the second half as Celta pressed, but on the whole, it was a very comfortable evening for Bailly.
Daley Blind: 6/10
His left foot is a real asset on set pieces and crosses in general, but defensively Blind had very little to do. Passing was a little wayward ay times but got away with it.
Marouane Fellaini: 7/10
Looking more at home week on week in the midfield anchor role. Was a little too robust in the challenge, and could have been given a second yellow card in the second half, but otherwise dependable.
Paul Pogba: 8/10
A class above. Controlled the game from start to finish, and drove United forward time and again. His pass into Mkhitaryan in the first half for the Armenian’s chance was sublime. Deserved a goal from his late effort.
Ander Herrera: 7/10
So easy to see why United fans love him so much, as he ran his socks off in his homeland, but his passing at key times was not up to his usual high standards.
Jesse Lingard: 6/10
If Celta somehow produce a Herculean effort and turn this tie around, Lingard’s missed chances could prove crucial. His miss in the second half was especially poor. He had to hit the target from there.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 6/10
His mark would be higher if he, like Lingard, had not missed good chances. His touch and passing were on point at times, but it is that profligacy in front of goal that lets him down.
Marcus Rashford: 8/10
What is so impressive about this young man is his willingness to accept responsibility. There was no way he wasn’t taking that free-kick that proved to be the winning goal. His pace and ability to run at defenders are admirable traits.
Substitutes
Ashley Young: 6/10
Excellent late block showed why he was brought on. Limped off with a worrying injury.
Anthony Martial: 6/10
The job was done when Martial was sent on. Still showed some nice touches.
