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#3 Bruno Fernandes fires again, but familiar defensive issues persist for Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes played a starring role in Manchester United’s triumph in this semi-final tie. The Portuguese international found his scoring boots again after a goal drought, bagging a timely brace for his team.
Having last found the net from the penalty spot against Manchester City in early March, Fernandes' profitable return from this game would have been cause for great optimism for both him and Manchester United as the season draws to a close.
However, there was a period in the first half when Manchester United were distinctly second-best. Even as AS Roma players seemed to drop like flies due to injury, the visitors turned the game on its head. They first equalised in the 15th minute before taking the lead through Dzeko in the 33rd, with the home defence at sixes and sevens.
As has been the case on a few occasions this season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were guilty of committing too many men forward and were left short at the back. That allowed their Italian visitors to orchestrate a clinical passing move which ended in Dzeko scoring into an unguarded net as Manchester United defenders looked around in anguish.
Although Manchester United were able to turn the tie around in the second half in spectacular fashion, this persistent issue is one that needs Solskjaer’s immediate and urgent attention, especially with the Europa League title potentially on the line.
#4 Veteran strikers show their worth as Dzeko and Cavani shine
Both Manchester United and AS Roma went into this game with a lot of experience in attack.
34-year-old Edinson Cavani lined up for Manchester United against a 35-year-old Edin Dzeko, who led the line for the visitors. Despite the lop-sided result, the two strikers showcased the importance of experience at the top level, with impressive displays.
A long-term injury to Anthony Martial has meant Cavani has firmly established himself as Manchester United’s first-choice striker this season, and the Uruguayan has repaid the club’s faith in him with several key goals.
Cavani was on top form in this game, bagging artful assists for Manchester United’s first and last goals. He also got on the scoresheet himself with a brace, putting on an exemplary display of movement, positioning and finishing against one of his favourite opponents over the years.
At the other end, Dzeko was up against an old foe in Manchester United and was a constant annoyance for Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof as an effective target man. Dzeko showcased not just his physicality but also extended his excellent goal-scoring form against his former local rivals with a well-taken goal in the first half.
#5 Manchester United looking for their first title under Solskjaer, AS Roma looking to salvage their season
While it goes without saying that every Europa League semi-final is a hard-fought and competitive affair, Manchester United and AS Roma came into this fixture with strong yet different objectives to progress to the final.
The English outfit currently sit second in the Premier League table and have all but secured a place in next season’s Champions League. However, they are still searching for their first trophy under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as they look to put an end to a lengthy period of transition and mark the start of a new era at the club with silverware.
Meanwhile, the Italian giants occupy seventh place in a tightly-contested Serie A table and would view winning the Europa League as their most viable route to European football next season.
As such, this two-legged tie carried an extra level of intrigue as both teams took to the field with a distinct but equally compelling motivation to secure their passage to the next stage of the Europa League.
