Jose: Celta Game Biggest Ever

Jose Mourinho has described Manchester United's Europa League semi-final, second leg against Celta Vigo on Thursday as "the most important match of our history".

United take a 1-0 lead into the game at Old Trafford after Marcus Rashford's goal in Spain earned them an advantage in the tie.

Mourinho recognises Celta will battle hard to secure their place in the Stockholm final on May 24, where they will face either Ajax or Lyon, with victory in the final offering both silverware and a route back into the Champions League.

"I think in terms of motivation, we are even," said Mourinho. "For Celta it is, in their words, the most important match of their history.

"And my feelings, it's also the most important match of our history. It doesn't matter what happened before, it doesn't matter how big matches we played before.

"What matters is the next one and the next one is [on Thursday], so I don't believe Celta dreams more than us, that Celta wants more than us.

"I really don't believe so in this aspect I don't think there will be a difference between both teams."

Mourinho has urged the home fans to offer strong vocal support to United, suggesting there have been some games this season where they have not been as loud as he would have liked.

"I see a difference between matches," he added. "I don't think it's consistent, the atmosphere and enthusiasm.

"I could feel, for example, the match against Chelsea [a 2-0 Premier League win on April 16], they wanted to play from the first minute until the last. It was really a very strong Old Trafford.

"We had other matches, for example, against Anderlecht where the stadium was not warm enough to make us feel that it was a very important match for us.

"It was the second leg quarter-final so hopefully [on Thursday] they have this feeling that it is a second leg semi-final.

"The only game more important than the second leg of a semi-final is the final, so we have to fight hard."

Credit: Skysports.com