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Paul Pogba celebrates Man United's victory. Martin Rickett
Analysis

Fear-driven Man United stumble over the line and other Europa League talking points

Plus, why the Red Devils should be wary of 19-year-old Ajax starlet Kasper Dolberg.

1. Man United stumble over the line

JOSE MOURINHO HAS frequently bemoaned his side’s bad luck this season, however there was more than an element of good fortune about their progression to the Europa League final this evening.

Marouane Fellaini’s 17th-minute header to make the score 2-0 on aggregate should have settled any nerves at Old Trafford, but instead, the Red Devils failed to build on this early boost and grew increasingly tentative as the game wore on.

In the end, it was a victory that had the hallmarks of a classic Jose Mourinho success rather than the type Man United fans became accustomed to during many of the greatest moments of the Alex Ferguson era. It wasn’t pretty, but the hosts did just about enough against a side who are currently 12th in La Liga.

Yet despite the positive outcome, Man United fans will surely feel a level of concern about the long-term future given the manner of tonight’s performance.

The Red Devils played with fear rather than the positivity for which their past teams were renowned, despite coming up against an ordinary enough side with far inferior players on paper.

Moreover, the visitors, while frequently dominating possession and territory, produced the type of wasteful performance in attack that has been more commonly associated with United under Mourinho this season.

In particular John Guidetti, a former Man City player hoping to give his old side reason to cheer, will have nightmares about at least one of the gilt-edged opportunities he failed to take, as the occasion seemed to get the better of the 25-year-old Swedish striker, who has managed just three goals in 20 appearances domestically this season.

2. Kasper Dolberg looks an incredible talent

Ajax have a host of promising youngsters in their side, but one player who really stood out tonight was Danish international Kasper Dolberg.

The 19-year-old attacker scored a beautifully taken goal, which was ultimately enough to send the Dutch team through by the skin of their teeth.

The impressive starlet now has 21 goals from 41 appearances in all competitions this season, while his tally of six in the Europa League means he is the joint-highest scorer in the competition.

United, who along with Liverpool have been linked with a move for Dolberg, should certainly expect much more ruthless treatment from him than they received at the hands of the hapless Guidetti this evening.

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3. Fellaini key for United

Marouane Fellaini may not be the most popular player at Old Trafford at the moment, but he remains a key figure for this United side.

In the last round, the Belgian international’s introduction off the bench changed the game, as he inspired the Red Devils’ extra-time win over Anderlecht — the opposition defence couldn’t cope with the star’s formidable physicality in the final third.

Tonight, Fellaini was again to the fore — the 29-year-old’s header in the 17th minute proved decisive, as United hung on for a nervy win.

The former Everton player has received plenty of flak — a portion of which has been justified –  since his £27.5 million move to his current employers during the short-lived David Moyes era in September 2013, but Jose Mourinho and the rest of the club have a lot to thank the much-maligned player for in Europe this season.

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