Manchester United never want to make things easy for themselves do they
They book their place in the Europa League final later this month but they nearly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory
Again it’s another home draw for Jose Mourinho’s men but at least there is some positive to take from this
That being the fact that they will be going up against Ajax in just under a fortnights time
It looked as if it was going to be plain sailing for United when Marouane Fellaini put the home side ahead
The Belgian international has been much maligned as of late due to his reckless headbutt in the Manchester Derby a few weeks ago but he atoned for that moment of madness by getting the goal which looked like it had all but killed the tie off
But for all the control that United were seemingly in they certainly created a tense ending for themselves
That is because Facundo Roncaglia scored with just five minutes remaining to level on the night and give the Galicians a glimmer of hope
It meant that Marcus Rashford’s away goal from the first leg had been cancelled out and were Celta to somehow snatch another goal then it would be they who would progress to the final
There would be an extra twist in the tale though when both the goalscorer Roncaglia and Eric Bailly would be sent off
There was some histrionics after Celta’s goal which turned into a mass brawl
A scuffle in the centre circle turned into something bigger
Antonio Valencia actually shoved Guidetti while Bailly appeared to make slight contact before he was confronted by Roncaglia
But it was the Ivorian who was shown the red card and is now set to miss the final
Whether he has grounds to appeal I’m not sure but it was an incredibly harsh decision and not only that will worsen United’s plight at Centre Back
With both teams down to 10 men there was still time for another late twist in the tale
Former Manchester City player John Guidetti could have never have paid for a pint in the blue half of Manchester ever again
In what was the final chance of the game, the Swedish international was presented with a guilt edged opportunity
But to the relief of Old Trafford he would fluff his lines and that would mean that United would just hold out
Job done….just
Bring on Stockholm and £9 pound a pint
Next up United play their part in the White Hart Lane sendoff on Sunday, here’s hoping they do not spoil the party
As for Celta, they can still play a massive part in the La Liga title race as they play Real Madrid next Wednesday in what is Los Blancos all important game in hand
Win that and Zinedine Zidane’s men will just need a point on the final day
Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
