Man Utd and Cavani make history with Roma hammering in Europa League semi-final

The Red Devils picked up a 6-2 victory in the first leg at Old Trafford, with the Uruguayan frontman leading their charge

Manchester United and Edinson Cavani both made history on Thursday as the Red Devils hammered Roma in their Europa League semi-final.

United ran out 6-2 winners in the first leg of the tie at Old Trafford, leaving Roma with a mountain to climb in the reverse fixture at Stadio Olimpico next week.

Cavani and Bruno Fernandes bagged a brace each, while Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood also got in the act as the Red Devils equalled an impressive mark in European competition dating back 57 years.

United join Madrid in history books

United have become the first team since Real Madrid to score six goals in a continental semi-final, with the Blancos having achieved the same feat during their run to European Cup glory in 1964.

The Manchester outfit also netted six times in Europe for the first time since beating Roma 7-1 in the Champions League back in 2007, and can now start dreaming of winning their first major trophy in four years.

Record-breaking Cavani

Cavani’s latest double saw him increase his haul of goals in a United shirt to 12 from 33 games in all competitions, and he is also now the oldest player to score twice in the semi-finals of a European competition since 2005.

Philip Cocu scored that double for PSV against AC Milan in the Champions League, but he was 113 days older than Cavani, who turned 34 in February.

What’s next?

The Red Devils will now have to refocus ahead of a Premier League meeting with Liverpool on Sunday, which they must win to stay in sight of runaway leaders Manchester City.

Solskjaer’s men will travel to Rome for the second leg of their Europa League encounter four days later, before preparations begin for a trip to Aston Villa on May 9.

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