NYON, Switzerland: Manchester United will face the Spanish side Celta Vigo in the semifinals of the Europa League over two legs and Ajax take on Lyon, after the draw on Friday.
Jose Mourinho's United will be strong favourites and have the advantage of playing the second leg at Old Trafford as they attempt to lift the Europa League, knowing victory in the final would give them a place in next season's Champions League.
United will travel to Spain for the first leg on May 4 before Celta visit Manchester for the return on May 11.
With United currently four points outside the Premier League top four, winning the Europa League for the first time may represent their best chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
Celta sit 10th in La Liga and progressed from the quarterfinals after following up a 3-2 home win against Genk by drawing Thursday's second leg 1-1 in Belgium.
United have never faced Celta in UEFA competition and the Spanish side are through to a major European semifinal for the first time in their history.
As England's final European representatives this season, United were made to sweat by Anderlecht in the quarterfinal second leg on Thursday.
Marcus Rashford's extra-time goal sealed a 2-1 win at Old Trafford that sent United through 3-2 on aggregate.
If United make it to the final in Stockholm's Friends Arena on May 24 it will be the club's first appearance in the decisive match of Europe's second-tier tournament.
It would also be United's first European final since they lost the 2011 Champions League decider against Barcelona at Wembley.
Man Utd faces Celta Vigo in Europa semis
Man Utd faces Celta Vigo in Europa semis
Bayern beat Cologne 3-1 to set Bundesliga record at halfway mark
- Bayern came from a goal down to earn their sixth league win in the last seven matches
- The Bavarians have clear water between themselves and Borussia Dortmund in 2nd place on 36 points
COLOGNE, Germany: Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich battled past hosts Cologne 3-1 on Wednesday to record the best first half of a season in the league’s history and maintain their 11-point lead at the top of the standings.
Bayern came from a goal down to earn their sixth league win in the last seven matches, and moved up to 47 points with a goal difference of +53. The previous best mark after 17 matches belonged to Pep Guardiola’s Bayern from the 2013/14 season, also with 47 points but a goal difference of +35.
The Bavarians, who host Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League next week, have clear water between themselves and Borussia Dortmund in second place on 36 points.
Cologne did not look at all intimidated by Bayern’s 8-1 demolition of VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday, and took a fully deserved 41st-minute lead with Linton Maina’s spectacular 60-meter solo run and superb finish to beat keeper Manuel Neuer.
The visitors managed to level before the break when Serge Gnabry flicked the ball into the net off the crossbar from the tightest of angles in first-half stoppage time.
Jakub Kaminski had the hosts’ best chance to score again with a low 58th-minute drive, but Neuer did well to push the ball wide in a crowded box.
The hosts managed to keep Bayern away from their box for much of the second half but could do nothing when Hiroki Ito headed on a deep cross and Kim Min-jae nodded in for a 2-1 lead.
Teenager Lennart Karl made sure of the three points in the 84th minute when he slotted in from a Luis Diaz assist.
