Fellaini: Trophies Are What We Strive For

Marouane Fellaini says having the opportunity to pick up a major trophy with Manchester United is what the players strive for every day.

The Belgian’s first-half header in the 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo on Thursday evening ultimately gave Jose Mourinho’s men a 2-1 victory on aggregate and booked the Reds a place in the Europa League final.

Fellaini, who will miss Sunday's Premier League visit to Tottenham Hotspur as he serves the final part of his three-match domestic suspension, reflected on an “exciting night” at Old Trafford and spoke of his determination to help the team lift European silverware in Stockholm.

"You play football to win things," he told MUTV. "You wake up every morning and go training to work on that goal. If we win it will be an amazing moment but there is still a lot of work to do.

"All the players want to do it. We’ve worked hard to get to the final and we have the motivation to win it. It’s a big trophy that the club have never won."

Asked about his decisive goal against Celta Vigo, Fellaini added: "Yes it was an important goal because we are going to the final. I think all the players, the staff, the supporters and the club as a whole deserve that.

"The crowd were amazing and they push us in every game. We have played 14 games in the Europa League which is a lot but we are in the final now and we will do everything to win it."

Dutch giants Ajax will provide the opposition at the Friends Arena and United's Belgian star is expecting a real battle against an enthusiastic and energetic side.

"Ajax are a big club with a lot of history and a lot of talented players have played there. At this moment they have young, talented players with energy," he explained.

"We watched the first leg of Ajax against Lyon and they ran everywhere. It will be tough but we are experienced players. I think the experience is always important. We have a good mix which is good for us and we know how to play against them. Let's see what happens on 24 May."