A
stunning free kick scored by Manchester United striker Marcos Rashford in the
second half of Thursday Europa League semi-final first leg was enough to
give the English side a required 1-0 away win to Celta Vigo.The first
half saw Manchester United close Celta down in the middle of the park so the
Spanish outfit was unable to play their usual open football.
Presented with the physical challenge of a
midfield containing Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba and Marouane Felaini, Celta were
reduced to shots from outside of the United area, with Sergio Romero
comfortably saving the only effort on target.
At the other end, Sergio Alvarez was Celta's
hero, with the home keeper at full stretch to keep out a curling effort from
Marcos Rashford, before stopping a one-on-one chance from winger Henrikh
Mikhitaryan and a close range effort from Jose Lingard as United looked to make
Celta suffer on the break.
Celta were more in the game after the break,
pushing Manchester United back and Sisto produced a good save from Romero after
64 minutes.
However, just a couple of minutes later Rashford
scored with a direct free kick to put the visitors ahead. It's possible that
Alvarez was expecting the left footed Daily Blind to take the free kick and the
Celta keeper was slightly out of position as the youngster's effort went in at
the far post.
The only chance Celta had after the goal was an
effort from Iago Aspes which went wide of the target as United closed the game
down, while hoping on the slim win as they host the Spanish clubs next week for
the return leg at Old Trafford.
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