Roma 3-2 Man Utd: Player ratings as Red Devils reach Europa League final
Edinson Cavani scored twice as Manchester United reached the Europa League final with a 3-2 defeat and 8-5 aggregate victory over Roma despite a sloppy performance on Thursday night.
Cavani when he slammed in from just outside the area, though two quick goals around the hour mark put Roma ahead on the night. Edin Dzeko scored his ninth goal against the Red Devils with a headed effort from close range before Bryan Cristante lashed in a superb second from range.
Any slight sniff of a comeback from Roma was extinguished when Cavani got his second, nodding in Bruno Fernandes' cross, though there was enough time for substitute Alex Telles to score an own goal to reduce the aggregate deficit.
The hosts were poor in front of goal but David de Gea consistently came to United's rescue with a string of impressive saves. The result means United have reached their first ever major cup final under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and will face La Liga outfit Villarreal, who bested Arsenal over two legs, later in May.
Let's get into the player ratings from the draw in Italy.
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
David de Gea (GK) - 9/10 - Instinctive stop early on prevented United making the worst possible start. Made another smart save from Dzeko moments later. Was certainly the busier of the two goalkeepers but came up trumps when United needed him - even if the winning margin was heavily stacked in their favour before a ball had been kicked. Ended the game having made ten saves.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB) - 6/10 - Good old fashioned reducer on Bruno Peres saw him booked. Subbed at half time, likely with United's ridiculous fixture pile-up over the next week in mind.
Eric Bailly (CB) - 5/10 - In a game where a monstrous comeback was required from the get-go, Bailly did his best to keep things interesting. Some pretty poor positional play but also ran about two thirds of the pitch when Roma's midfield vacated the Olimpico. Naturally, he gave the ball away when passes to either side were on.
Harry Maguire (CB) - 5/10 - Survived a scare early in the second half when he kicked the ball into his arm in the area. Got United through that brief nervy passage when Roma scored twice in quick succession, though it was hardly a defensive masterclass from him or his colleagues.
Luke Shaw (LB) - 6/10 - Another composed and solid performance from Shaw on the left. Like Wan-Bissaka, brought off at the interval. Doesn't need to be worried about Telles nicking his spot anytime soon going off the Brazilian's substitute appearance.
2. Midfielders
Paul Pogba (CM) - 6/10 - Deployed in a more central role. Not at his most effective but made three tackles and did what was needed of him before his substitution.
Fred (CM) - 6/10 - Provided the killer pass for Cavani's opener. Lost the ball trying to turn out of trouble before Cristante's effort. Sometimes booting the ball into row Z ain't a bad idea. Booked.
Bruno Fernandes (AM) - 8/10 - Nice lay-off to Fred in the build-up to United's first of the night and set up Cavani's second with a lovely curling cross. Eventually brought off for Juan Mata after another productive evening.
3. Forwards
Mason Greenwood (RW) - 5/10 - A momentous occasion for Greenwood, who became the youngest ever Englishman and third youngest player overall to reach 100 appearances for United. That was probably the most noteworthy thing about his appearance, though.
Edinson Cavani (ST) - 8/10 - Hit the top of the bar with a lob before smacking one straight at Roma stopper Antonio Mirante. Was ice cold when needed, lashing in after being played in on goal and nodding in Fernandes' cross. Booked.
Donny van de Beek (LW) - 4/10 - A first start since the FA Cup defeat to Leicester in March for the Dutchman, and you can see why. Perhaps he hasn't had enough time to assimilate into the team and isn't being used in the right position, but he certainly doesn't offer United much from the left. Had one chance to get a shot away in the box but a poor touch let him down.
4. Substitutes
Alex Telles - 4/10 - Caught sleeping at the back post for Roma's equaliser. Scored an own goal when Nicola Zalewski's shot cannoned off him and through De Gea's legs. Hardly a 'play me, gaffer' cameo off the bench.
Brandon Williams - 5/10
Nemanja Matic - 6/10
Marcus Rashford - 5/10
Juan Mata - N/A
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