United 1-2 for Europa League glory
MANCHESTER UNITED are one game away from returning to the Champions League and they are 1-2 to complete the long road back to Europe’s elite competition by winning the Europa League.
Thursday’s tense 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo saw United progress 2-1 on aggregate and land a date with Dutch side Ajax in the final in Stockholm on May 24.
It may not have been Jose Mourinho’s first priority at the start of the season but it will now become a huge deal for the Red Devils, while Ajax’s exciting youngsters are 7-4.
Bet365 are quoting United at 25-1 to win next term’s Champions League in a market that requires them to first qualify and if they are to land that part of the equation they will do so with Sergio Romero in goal for the Stockholm showdown.
“If everything goes normally, and we have no problems, Sergio plays in the final,” said Mourinho, who must do without suspended centre-back Eric Bailly following his red card on Thursday.
United are joint-favourites at 10-3 alongside Chelsea to win next season’s Premier League in a market headed by Manchester City at 5-2.
Tottenham, who host United in the final match at White Hart Lane on Sunday before departing to Wembley for a season, are 9-1 with Liverpool at 11-1 and Arsenal are available at 16-1.
The Gunners are desperately fighting for a Champions League spot for next season and can be backed at 5-2 to sneak a position in the Premier League’s top four.
They may well need to win all three of their remaining matches, starting with Saturday’s trip to Stoke which is followed by home clashes with Sunderland and Everton.
City’s place in the top four is seen as almost locked in at 1-33 but Liverpool are out to 4-11.
The Merseysiders head to West Ham on Sunday with doubts over the fitness of Brazilian duo Roberto Firmino and Lucas.
