Big Match Feature: Celta v United
The clubs are meeting for the first time in Uefa competition.
Celta's record in nine matches against English sides is W5 D0 L4 (W2 D0 L2 in Vigo – W3 D0 L2 in England). They have lost the last three of those games, most recently going down 2-1 at Newcastle in the 2006/07 Uefa Cup group stage in the most recent one.
United's record in 47 meetings with Spanish teams is W12 D19 L16 (W9 D9 L4 in Manchester – W2 D10 L10 in Spain). Those ties include three European finals held on neutral territory (W1 L2).
United have won two of their three European semifinals against Spanish opposition, all in the European Cup – going on to lift the trophy on both occasions.
FORM GUIDE
Celta are unbeaten in their last five European matches (W4 D1). They have kept just one clean sheet in six Europa League home fixtures this season.
United have not lost in their last eight Europa League games (W6 D2). Their away record in this season's competition is W2 D2 L2, averaging exactly a goal a game.
United are striving for the only Uefa club trophy that has so far eluded them. This is their first semifinal in the Uefa Cup or Europa League.
LINKS AND TRIVIA
The journey from Manchester to Vigo is around 1 350km.
Celta's Iago Aspas and United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic are the highest-scoring players left in the competition with five goals each. Roma's Edin Džeko and Zenit's Giuliano top the rankings with eight.
Aspas faced United twice with Liverpool in the 2013/14 Premier League, his side winning both matches – 1-0 at Anfield and 3-0 at Old Trafford, though Aspas was on the pitch for just a minute of the latter fixture.
Currently injured, Ibrahimovic hit the winner against Celta for Ajax in a 2003/04 Champions League group stage fixture.
Ibrahimovic and Celta's John Guidetti are the only Swedish players still in the competition; this season's final takes place in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, on Wednesday, 24 May.
Guidetti will also know his way round Manchester; he was with Manchester City from 2008–15. Celta's Pablo Hernández is the most fouled player in this season's Europa League, with 35 infringements against him.
Celta have a notable Old Trafford old boy: US-born Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi was on the Red Devils' books from 2004–07, scoring once in five league outings. However, he has been ruled out until December with a serious knee injury.
José Mourinho took over as United boss last summer. Having made his name winning the Uefa Cup and Champions League with Porto, he landed Europe's top club prize again with Inter Milan as well as three Premier League titles during two stints at Chelsea.
In Mourinho's last foray in this competition, he steered Porto to the 2003 Uefa Cup final, where they edged Celtic 3-2 in Seville.
Mourinho faced Celta four times in his final season at Real Madrid (2012/13), his team winning three and losing one (one 2-1 Copa del Rey defeat and one 2-1 Liga win at BalaÃdos).
Source:UEFA.com
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