By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
Manchester United on Thursday April 29, 2021 humbled Roma 6-2 in Europa semi-fanal first leg played at Old Trafford.
In the other semi-final of the tournament played in Spain, Arsenal FC lost 1-2 to Villarreal.
Nicolas Pepe got the consolation goal via a penalty.
At Old Trafford, Bruno Fernandes opened Manchester United account in the 15th minute via Paul Pogba’s assistance. The euphoria of the goal did not last long before Pogba handled the ball inside Man United 18 yard box, which resulting penalty was converted for Roma’s equalizer. Later, Djekko made it double before end of first half. He out-runned Linderlof to beat David de Gea in Man U post.
Second half saw a more serious and determined Man United, which only took four minutes to equalize through Cavani.
Cavani made it three for Man United in the 67th minute, while Fernandes made it four when he converted a penalty when Cavani was brought down inside 18 yard box by Man United ex-defender, Chris Smalling.
Pogba made it five in the 76th minute, assisted by Fernandes, while Greenwood, who substituted Rashford, scored the sixth goal.
The highlight of the match was when Pogba’s powerful shot hit Roma’s first choice keeper and forced his substitution.
On the overall performance of his team, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said, “No I don’t feel the job is done but it was a good job done. We did well but we know they have quality.
“They scored two goals from the two chances we gave them. They didn’t have loads of chances against Ajax.
“The second half was very good.”
The second leg comes in Rome.
But, reacting to his club’s loss in Spain, Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta said: “We didn’t want to come here and lose but after the way the game developed, you have to take the result. If you have to lose it is probably the best result we could have.
“Two different halves. We started to be us, in the first half there were so many moments we weren’t.
“We started to chase and were not precise with the ball, didn’t have enough control. We didn’t have enough threat or desire to attack the box, in the second half it was completely different.
“We are very used to that (Bukayo Saka playing well) this season, but it tells us we need to do much more as we cannot always rely on him. Bernd Leno was very good, at 2-0, the chance with Gerard Moreno, he saved us. “We had a big chance with Auba to draw the game. I am confident we have a chance to win.”
