Manchester United demolish Roma with a Six in Europa League SF

London: Manchester United demolish Roma with a Six in Europa League SF

Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani each struck twice as Manchester United demolsihed an injury-hit Roma 6-2 at Old Trafford to strengthen their case for a place in the Europa League final. Only a second leg collapse can prevent MU from taking on Villarreal or Arsenal in Gdansk on May 26, thanks to its remarkable second-half performance. The home side trailed at the break as Lorenzo Pellegrini's penalty and Edin Dzeko's tap-in cancelled out Fernandes's early opener.

However, the Italians lost three players to injuries before the break, enabling United to take full advantage of the situation.

Cavani made two fine finishes to turn the match around before Fernandes also fired home from the spot.

Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood rounded off the scoring, helping MU become the first team to score six goals in a European semi-final since Real Madrid in 1964.

"Very pleased with the response," said Solskjaer. "Second half we were very good."

United is virtually out of the Premier League title race, but could get a top-four finish.

The combo among Pogba, Fernandes and Cavani left the Roma defence open.

"We know we've got creative players, players who can create big chances, score goals, it's about getting them in the positions," added Solskjaer.

"Marcus (Rashford), Bruno, Paul, Edinson are all capable. The difference today is we took most of our chances."

"We had a good first half but we didn't exist in the second," Roma coach Paulo Fonseca said at the end of the match.

"It's difficult to explain how the same team that did so well in the first half had that kind of second half."