Destiny Takes United Back To Sweden

"Finals are always fun," declared Jose Mourinho in the wake of Manchester United overcoming Celta Vigo in the Europa League.

The final stages of a tense Old Trafford encounter may have seemed like torture but the rewards are plentiful. Another huge event for the club and supporters to relish, the chance of a new trophy to complete the set in the cabinet and, of course, a spot in next season's Champions League for the victors.

For the supporters who follow United abroad, a number of whom told us at the quarter-final stage in Belgium that they had already gambled (probably financially and emotionally) on booking trips to Stockholm, these are occasions to savour.

The fact Ajax bar the way to glory is also quite apt - the club's first-ever opponents in the Europa League and a club also rich in tradition when it comes to continental competition. It is also interesting to hear the manager regularly reference the potential gateway to another of UEFA's big games - the European Super Cup - as though he recognises these are the fixtures he and the club expect to participate in. Real Madrid or Juventus will meet the winners of the Friends Arena final in Macedona on Tuesday 8 August.

Yet, in the immediate future, there is a sense that Sweden is an appropriate place to round off the 2016/17 season, Mourinho's first in charge of the club. Back in July, his new team took part in a friendly against Galatasaray in nearby Gothenburg amid the optimism that greets every campaign. It took Zlatan Ibrahimovic four minutes to announce himself with a brilliant acrobatic opener on his debut and a thrilling 5-2 win unfolded in the Scandinavian sunshine.

The game offered some pointers as to what would follow but, of the starting XI at the Ullevi Stadium, only five of the side began the semi-final second leg against Celta and three of those were defenders. So much has changed, and United's absentees for Stockholm are well documented, with Eric Bailly added to the list through suspension and, heartbreakingly, Zlatan missing out on a showpiece final in his homeland and against one of his former clubs to boot. He would have been guaranteed some reception.

To emphasise the ever-changing nature of football, our last game at the Friends Arena was only four years ago (a 1-1 draw with AIK Stockholm) but only one of the starters is still with the club - Michael Carrick - and Chris Smalling is the sole member of the five substitutes used who has remained at Old Trafford.

Both will hope to play a part a week on Wednesday and help the Reds lift a third piece of silverware of the season, one that has thrown up overseas trips to fresh destinations and already generated some memorable moments. For anyone who has decried the status of the Europa League, ask the United fans what the relief felt like when the final whistle sounded against Celta. Or discover what relaxing in the Swedish capital means to the loyal supporters lucky enough to get a ticket as the anticipation and excitement builds ahead of kick-off time.

United are going to Stockholm and it is the perfect setting to end a long season. There will be tension and nerves will be frayed as we strive to beat Ajax, but, with those rewards on offer, there is an opportunity to enjoy a special day and, hopefully, cap a fruitful first year in charge for the boss.

The views expressed in this article are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.

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