After an arduous group stage and nail-biting knockout rounds, we have our finalists for this season’s Europa League.
Photo via Europe League
Man United booked their place after beating Roma in the semi-finals. The Red Devils lost 3-2 in the second-leg this morning but still advance 8-5 on aggregate, thanks to their huge 6-2 victory at Old Trafford last week.
Their next opponents will be Villarreal, who made the final at the expense of Arsenal.
The Spanish club held the Gunners to a goalless draw in the second leg in London, to progress 2-1 on aggregate.
Incidentally, this will be the 10th season in a row that the Europa League is won by a Spanish or an English team.
Europa League veteran vs first-time finalist
The respective managers of Villarreal and Man United – Unai Emery and Ole Gunnar Solskjær - have contrasting records when it comes to the competition.
Photo via Eurosport
This will be Emery’s fifth Europa League final, having won on three successive occasions with Sevilla between 2014 and 2016.
For Solskjær, on the other hand, this will be his first major final.
His last piece of silverware was the Norwegian Cup with Molde all the way back in 2013.
Both managers will have plenty to prove – Emery is seeking his fourth trophy, which will make him the most successful manager in the history of the tournament (including when it was known as the UEFA Cup).
Photo via Reuters
Solskjær, meanwhile, has been making good progress since taking charge of Man United in 2018, and needs a trophy to validate his hard work.
The Europa League final will take place in Gdansk, Poland on the morning of May 27th.
By: Nicholas Darren John
