Match ends, Roma 3, Manchester United 2.
RomaRoma3Man UtdManchester United2
Manchester United reached their first final of the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era but lost their seven-match unbeaten record in an entertaining Europa League last-four tie with Roma.
Edinson Cavani scored both United goals in the second leg of a 13-goal semi-final.
The Uruguayan opened the scoring with a fabulous first-half effort, then found the net with a fine header from Bruno Fernandes' excellent floated pass in the second half.
In between, Roma briefly threatened a comeback when former Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko scored his ninth goal against United before Bryan Cristante finished smartly with a shot on the turn.
The Italians had the final word when Nicola Zalewski's low drive went in through David de Gea's legs after taking a deflection off Alex Telles.
The 8-5 aggregate victory ends a run of four semi-final defeats for United under Solskjaer and sets up a meeting with Villarreal in Gdansk on 26 May.
United are without a trophy since their last triumph in this competition in 2017, their longest run since the five-year gap between 1985 and 1990, which was ended by an FA Cup success that marked the start of Sir Alex Ferguson's silverware collection.
Jose Mourinho was manager for that most recent United success and he will be responsible for reviving Roma's fortunes next season, knowing their only chance of European football next season will come in Uefa's new third-tier Conference competition.
Cavani in cruise control
If getting to within one win of a trophy as United manager was a triumph for Solskjaer, it also underlined why the Norwegian is persisting in his efforts to keep Cavani at Old Trafford.
At 19, Mason Greenwood is at the other end of the age scale to Cavani. The England man eclipsed Duncan Edwards as the youngest Englishman to reach 100 appearances for United, and the third youngest ever behind Norman Whiteside and George Best.
Evidently, Greenwood has much to learn. Cavani, 34, is the finished article.
His four goals in the tie have taken him to 14 for the season and a run of seven goals in six games suggests he is reaching top form at just the right time.
Cavani's first-half effort was stunning. Starting with Paul Pogba winning possession, United's team work was brilliant. A fantastic lay-off by Fernandes sent Fred running through midfield. The pass was good but Cavani still had work to do as he belted his shot into the Roma net.
His second was more subtle, coming from another Fernandes assist - a deep cross delivered to perfection, which invited the headed finish which effectively killed the tie.
The word is Cavani is now minded to stay at United for another season and as by far the best orthodox number nine at his disposal, Solskjaer will be delighted if those suggestions prove to be correct.
More to follow.
Player of the match
CavaniEdinson Cavani
with an average of 8.25
Roma
Avg
Squad number9Player nameDzekoAverage rating6.57
- Squad number77Player nameMkhitaryanAverage rating
6.13
- Squad number7Player namePellegriniAverage rating
6.00
- Squad number11Player namePedroAverage rating
5.83
- Squad number59Player nameZalewskiAverage rating
5.75
- Squad number18Player nameSantonAverage rating
5.73
- Squad number4Player nameCristanteAverage rating
5.70
Squad number6Player nameSmallingAverage rating5.65
- Squad number23Player nameManciniAverage rating
5.63
- Squad number55Player nameDarboeAverage rating
5.58
- Squad number33Player nameBruno PeresAverage rating
5.57
- Squad number83Player nameMiranteAverage rating
5.54
- Squad number21Player nameMayoralAverage rating
5.46
- Squad number3Player nameIbañezAverage rating
5.44
- Squad number2Player nameKarsdorpAverage rating
5.43
Manchester United
Avg
- Squad number7Player nameCavaniAverage rating
8.25
Squad number1Player namede GeaAverage rating7.50
- Squad number18Player nameBruno FernandesAverage rating
7.15
- Squad number34Player namevan de BeekAverage rating
6.38
- Squad number29Player nameWan-BissakaAverage rating
6.34
Squad number23Player nameShawAverage rating6.29
- Squad number11Player nameGreenwoodAverage rating
6.28
Squad number6Player namePogbaAverage rating6.24
Squad number3Player nameBaillyAverage rating6.11
Squad number10Player nameRashfordAverage rating6.07
Squad number17Player nameFredAverage rating6.05
Squad number8Player nameMataAverage rating6.02
- Squad number5Player nameMaguireAverage rating
5.85
Squad number31Player nameMaticAverage rating5.81
- Squad number33Player nameWilliamsAverage rating
5.59
- Squad number27Player nameAlex TellesAverage rating
5.35
Line-ups
Roma
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 83Mirante
- 2KarsdorpBooked at 72mins
- 6SmallingSubstituted forDarboeat 30'minutes
- 3Ibañez da Silva
- 33da Silva PeresSubstituted forSantonat 69'minutes
- 23Mancini
- 11PedroSubstituted forZalewskiat 76'minutes
- 4CristanteBooked at 84mins
- 7Pellegrini
- 77Mkhitaryan
- 9DzekoSubstituted forMayoralat 76'minutes
Substitutes
- 18Santon
- 21Mayoral
- 24Kumbulla
- 52Bove
- 54Ciervo
- 55Darboe
- 59Zalewski
- 63Boer
- 87Cerantola Fuzato
Man Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1de Gea
- 29Wan-BissakaBooked at 18minsSubstituted forWilliamsat 45'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 3Bailly
- 5Maguire
- 23ShawSubstituted forTellesat 45'minutes
- 6PogbaSubstituted forMaticat 64'minutes
- 17FredBooked at 58mins
- 11Greenwood
- 18Bruno FernandesSubstituted forMataat 84'minutes
- 34van de Beek
- 7CavaniBooked at 72minsSubstituted forRashfordat 73'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Lindelöf
- 8Mata
- 10Rashford
- 13Grant
- 19Diallo
- 26Henderson
- 27Telles
- 31Matic
- 33Williams
- 38Tuanzebe
- 39McTominay
- 56Elanga
- Referee:
- Dr. Felix Brych
Match Stats
Home TeamRomaAway TeamMan Utd
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home22
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home12
- Away5
- Corners
- Home7
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away16
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Roma 3, Manchester United 2.
Booking
Brandon Williams (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Ibañez (Roma) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Brandon Williams (Manchester United).
Post update
Attempt missed. Brandon Williams (Manchester United) left footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Nemanja Matic.
Post update
Attempt missed. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Juan Mata.
Post update
Attempt saved. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Nemanja Matic.
Post update
Gianluca Mancini (Roma) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Mason Greenwood (Manchester United).
Post update
Attempt saved. Bryan Cristante (Roma) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner.
Post update
Corner, Roma. Conceded by Harry Maguire.
Booking
Bryan Cristante (Roma) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Bryan Cristante (Roma).
Post update
Alex Telles (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester United. Juan Mata replaces Bruno Fernandes.
Goal!
Own Goal by Alex Telles, Manchester United. Roma 3, Manchester United 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. Nicola Zalewski (Roma) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Davide Santon with a cross.
Post update
Foul by Ebrima Darboe (Roma).
Post update
Nemanja Matic (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Comments
Join the conversation
5-8 on Aggregate.. Nuts!
Is this a record?!
So entertaining.
Well done Manchester United for getting to the final.
Get in...
Must defend better in the final v Villareal.
Brilliant display in first leg and a brilliant display from DeGea tonight.
Well deserved imo.
I await the trolls. 😂