Herrera: A Crazy Game

Ander Herrera admits Manchester United’s players made life hard for themselves against Celta Vigo but is delighted the team’s hard work has paid off with a place in the Europa League final.

The Reds booked a date with Ajax in the Stockholm showpiece on 24 May after a 2-1 aggregate victory over Celta, with Marouane Fellaini’s goal proving decisive in Thursday’s 1-1, second-leg draw at Old Trafford.

United were dominant in last week’s 1-0 first-leg win in Spain but Celta were arguably the better side in Manchester and, after Facundo Roncaglia netted a late equaliser, they spurned a great chance at the death to eliminate the Reds on away goals.

Herrera admitted to BT Sport: “It was a crazy game. We were better in the first leg and deserved to get a better result, and today we suffered. 

“You cannot win a semi-final easily. They were playing the game of their lives and we knew that in advance. But we are in the final – this is what counts. 

“We are very happy because we have fought very hard to be here, and now we are going to try to win it. We have played a lot of games in a row; it has been a crazy schedule but now we have to go to the final with everything and it can be a very good season.”

Man of the Match Fellaini, who opened the scoring with a 17th-minute header, United’s 100th goal of the season, was asked about the Reds’ final opponents Ajax, who battled past Lyon 5-4 on aggregate despite losing the second leg 3-1 in France.

“We watched the first game against Lyon and they played very well – they have very talented players and it will be a tough game in Stockholm,” the Belgian said. “But we will be ready: we have the experience and the players. We will give everything to win.”