Today in extreme hyperbole news- Manchester United Manager Jose Mourinho has declared tomorrow night’s UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg at Old Trafford the most important match in club history.
During his prematch news conference, where he was joined by Wayne Rooney, a reporter suggested to Mourinho that Celta Vigo’s motivation would be higher than United’s because they are the smaller club.
Mourinho rejected any David versus Goliath narratives.
“In motivation, we are even. For Celta in their words, the most important match for their history. My feelings, it is the most important match of our history,” Mourinho said.
“It doesn’t matter how big the matches were before. What matters is the next one. I don’t believe they dream more than us. I don’t believe. I don’t think there is a difference.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzscn5s2Bfk
United come in with a 1-0 advantage on aggregate and heavily favored. United have never won the Europa League tournament, so winning here and then again in two weeks in Stockholm (where the opponent will almost certainly be Ajax), would indeed break new ground for the club.
UEFA’s decision to grant the Europa League winner a spot in the next season’s Champions League has certainly paid off, as now you have the bigger clubs taking Europe’s consolation bracket much more seriously.
Go here for the MUFC starting XI prediction, and here for the MUFC injury report
Odds via Sky Bet:
United- 6/11, Draw- 33/10, Celta Vigo 13/2
Prediction: United 2, Celta Vigo 0
With a 1-0 advantage coming home, I fully expect United to get the result that they need and move on to the Europa final on May 24th. The finale will be in Stockholm, with Ajax almost certainly the opponent.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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