Ruthless Manchester United Puts Six Past Roma
Manchester United put one foot in the Europa League final after a thrilling second-half comeback, beating Roma 6-2 in their semi-final first-leg match at Old Trafford.
Edinson Cavani started upfront for the hosts, while Old Trafford welcomed back former player Henrikh Mkhitaryan who was along side Edin Dzeko in the Roma attack.
United grabbed an early goal when Paul Pogba skipped around two Roma challenges before passing to Cavani, who released Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder lifted the ball beautifully over on-rushing Roma goalkeeper Pau Lopez to give United the lead.
Moments later, Pogba was penalised for handball while sliding in to block Rick Karsdorp’s cross in the box and a penalty was awarded. Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini stepped up and fired the ball into th net to equalise for the visitors.
Roma’s Leonardo Spinazzola then ran down the left flanked found Mkhitaryan, who released Pellegrini in behind, and he squared for Dzeko to tap in a goal.
Manchester United looked a different side after the break and needed just three minutes to draw level. Cavani curled a thunderous effort into the top corner of the Roma goal after an exchange of passes with Fernandes.
The goal sprung Solskjaer’s side back to life as Cavani restored United’s lead with a tap-in after Roma goalkeeper Mirante spilled Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s drive.
In the 71st minute, Fernandes scored his 20th penalty from the spot when former United defender Chris Smalling was penalised for a late foul on Cavani in the area, making it was 4-2 to United.
Roma could’t contain the hosts as United continued to oil eon the pressure. Pogba got on the score sheet moments later as his glancing header from a Fernandes cross beat substitute goalkeeper Antonio Mirante.
Substitute Mason Greenwood grabbed a late goal to make it 6-2 as United once again showed ruthlessness in dispatching Roma, leaving United on the brink of another Europa League final.
