MAN UNITED 2, RSC ANDERLECHT 1
(United won 3-2 on aggregate after extra time)
Manchester United were pushed all the way by Belgium side Anderlecht before claiming a semi-final place in the Europa League.
It was a nervy night at Old Trafford where Marcus Rashford’s extra-time goal sent the Reds through to the last four.
United, held 1-1 in Brussels last week, got off to a great start when Henrikh Mkhitaryan gave them an early lead to draw level on aggregate.
But when Sofiane Hanni equalised, it was game back on in a game of numerous twists and turns as Anderlecht pushed United to the limit.
In the end, United maintained their 100-per-cent home record against Belgium opposition while Anderlecht are still to win in England – this was their 16th attempt.
It was also a victory that came at a cost as Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic limped off injured.
With Chris Smalling and Phil Jones injured, United can ill afford to lose another centre back while top scorer Ibrahimovic will be another big loss.
United manager Jose Mourinho said: “I am relieved, I am happy. It was a tough game against a tough opponent.
“I am tired, but I imagine the players are more tired than me. We are in the draw tomorrow and still have the dream.”
Looking back on the match, Mourinho added: “We had 17 shots (it was 22) and 10 on target, something like that, but the game was difficult.
“It is always a risk when it is 1-1, but from that moment it was a question of scoring and not conceding which was hard.”
And of his side’s chase for Champions League football, Mourinho said: “When it is not mathematically possible to qualify through the Premier League in when we put everything into the Europa League.
“It is an important title and we have to keep going. We are not expecting anything easy in the semi finals.”
Mourinho explained the injuries to Rojo and Ibrahimovic don’t look good explaining “the news is fairly negative”.
And he added it is up to Jones and Smalling “to be brave and risk for the team” and try to accelerate their recoveries.
“They can’t play on Sunday and there is no miracle. But with a special spirit, sooner than we expect. Rather than mid-May, may be the beginning,” he said.
Mourinho made five changes from the side that started Sunday’s memorable win against Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Sergio Romero replaced David De Gea in goal while there were recalls for Ibrahimovic, Mkhitaryan, Michael Carrick and Luke Shaw.
The players standing down were David De Gea, Matteo Darmian, Ashley Young, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini.
Anderlecht had the first chance when Leander Dendoncker, scorer of Anderlecht’s goal in the first leg, unleashed a terrific dipping shot that landed on the roof of the net.
After a bright start by the Belgium side, United took a 10th minute lead after a speedy counter attack involving Paul Pogba and Rashford and ending with Mkhitaryan finding the net with a low drive from just inside the box.
It was his 10th goal of the season and his fifth in six Europa League games.
Suddenly the pendulum swung the way of United who could have been three ahead within minutes as visiting keeper Martinez Ruben made brilliant saves to turn over Pogba’s header and turn away Jesse Lingard’s goalbound shot.
Anderlecht had a great chance to equalise when Frank Acheampong raced past Eric Bailly and the injured Marcos Rojo before firing into the side netting.
Rojo, who had hurt his ankle moments before, went down again and left the field on stretcher to be replaced by Daley Blind.
Romero was forced to make a desperate save from the dangerous Dendoncker as Anderlecht remained a credible threat.
And that proved the case when Anderlecht equalised in the 32nd minute. The 19-year-old Tielemans hit the bar and the rebound was fired home by Hanni.
Rashford and Lingard had chances either side of the break as United looked to regain the lead.
United made their second change of the game on the hour when Lingard was replaced by Fellaini who was jeered because of his links with Anderlecht’s rivals Standard Liege.
Rashford had two great chances to put United back ahead as he dragged a shot wide and then burst clear after a slip by Dennis Appiah, rounded keeper Ruben but was driven wide as Anderlecht cleared the danger.
Ibrahimovic found himself through on goal after Fellaini’s head down, but keeper Ruben made a brilliant block.
Pogba also had a glorious chance from a corner, but blazed over from six yards with the goal at his mercy.
The same applied to Ibrahimovic who was put through by Carrick’s superb pass, but he blazed wide from 12 yards, a terrible miss that mirrored his night.
Ibrahimovic limped off after landing awkwardly jumping for a high ball in stoppage time. A stretcher was summoned, but he walked off after receiving treatment to be replaced by Anthony Martial for extra time.
Pogba’s spectacular 92nd minute overhead kick from Rashford’s rabona was blocked by Uros Spajic while at the other end Ivan Obradovic had a shot deflected for a corner as the outcome of this game remained in the balance.
United had the ball in the net again in the 101st minute, but Pogba’s goal was ruled out for a foul by Fellaini as he headed the ball down to his team mate.
There was a scare for United when Romero failed to fold a Tielemans shot, but dived on the loose ball as an Anderlecht team mate looked set to slot home the rebound.
United finally found a way through Anderlecht’s resolute defence in the 107th minute.
Fellaini headed down a Shaw cross and Rashford showed great footwork to create an opening before slotting home his 10th goal of the season.
It was Rashford’s third goal in four games having before than scored only three in 34 appearances.
But in the dying minutes, both sides could have scored.
Achempong headed straight at Romero from six yards while Serigne Mbodji’s header cleared the bar by inches. Had either gone in, Anderlecht would have won on the away goals rule.
Similarly Martial had the ball in the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside.