Phelan Backs Reds In Celta Vigo Semi-final

Ex-Manchester United player, coach and assistant-manager Mike Phelan has backed the Reds to secure a positive result from Thursday’s Europa League semi-final, first leg at Celta Vigo.

Phelan was a long-term member of Sir Alex Ferguson’s backroom staff between the years 2001 and 2013, during which time the club developed a formula for success in European away matches.

You can’t win every game, naturally, but those United teams were generally impressive when playing the first leg away. Results like the 2-0 quarter-final win at AS Roma in 2008, the 3-2 last-eight success at AC Milan in 2010 and the 2-0 semi-final victory at FC Schalke in 2011 are all highlighted below.

Jose Mourinho's men face a testing game against La Liga side Celta on Thursday night, but Phelan is confident the Reds can secure a positive result ahead of finishing the semi-final tie at Old Trafford.

“Going away in Europe is a different challenge,” Phelan explained during his weekend visit to Beijing for the club’s #ILOVEUNITED event. “You have got to get everything prepared properly, you have got to be in the right frame of mind, you have got to have the right players available for that game. 

"But you have also got to be patient. It is a two-legged affair and you are away from home first, so the importance is to be in the tie for the second leg. That is the experience we gained over the years. 

“Jose will be solid, he will be diligent to the fact that Celta Vigo have been one of the better teams in the competition and he will know his stuff. He’s been at the highest level, he knows what Europe is all about, knows how to conduct himself and he knows how to motivate the players for a semi-final tie.”

FIVE CLASSIC FIRST-LEG AWAY WINS

Lille 0 United 1, Champions League second round, 20/02/2007
This was a perfect result in France, although it was not without controversy after the Lille players angrily left the pitch following Ryan Giggs's late winner from a quick free-kick. The home side claimed it wasn’t a protest, but Sir Alex said: “I have never seen that before in all my years in football.”

Roma 0 United 2, Champions League quarter-final, 01/04/2008
Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney scored vital away goals to leave the Italians in shock. “We can't take anything for granted, but we definitely feel like we can reach the semi-finals," said Ferguson. “It was a marvellous result. We showed discipline and composure on the ball.”

AC Milan 2 United 3, Champions League second round, 16/02/2010
United secured a first win at the San Siro but it wasn’t easy. Ronaldinho broke the deadlock, Paul Scholes levelled and two Rooney headers put the Reds ahead, before Clarence Seedorf struck late on. David Beckham played for the Italians and conceded “Rooney is obviously on fire again.”

Chelsea 0 United 1, Champions League quarter-final, 06/04/2011
Okay, this was in England, but the rules remained the same and Rooney's away goal was key. United were well organised and industrious, frustrating Carlo Ancelotti's Blues, who were denied appeals for a late spot-kick. “It was the first penalty decision we've got here in seven years, so we're due one,” Sir Alex said.

Schalke 0 United 2, Champions League semi-final, 26/04/2011
Schalke had beaten Inter Milan 7-3, but they couldn’t match the Reds as Giggs and Rooney scored. The margin would have been greater, too, without Manuel Neuer’s heroics. “Anyone who saw this gulf in class will not believe in a miracle at Old Trafford,” wrote German newspaper Bild.