Manchester United host Celta Vigo in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final at Old Trafford this evening (8.05pm kick-off).

Jose Mourinho’s men secured a vital 1-0 win against the La Liga outfit last week to make them hot favourites to get the job done tonight, with Marcus Rashford’s fine free-kick the difference between the two sides.

And with a crucial away goal, United will certainly be confident of progressing to the Europa League final this evening, where either Lyon or Ajax await in the showpiece in Stockholm on May 24.

Mourinho made eight changes on Sunday ahead of their 2-0 defeat at Arsenal to demonstrate the importance the is placing on tonight’s clash, and he even said after their loss at the Emirates, which also saw their 25-match unbeaten run in the Premier League come to an end, that tonight is their ‘match of the season’ so far.

And he’ll be hoping that his Red Devils side react accordingly to take one step closer to the Europa League crown, and thus a return to the Champions League.

The hosts go in as favourites this evening, and here are THREE reasons why United will get the job done and progress to the showpiece in Stockholm later this month…

Hold good lead after first leg

Mourinho’s men will certainly go into tonight’s game as favourites after winning the first leg 1-0 in Vigo last week.

Marcus Rashford’s excellent free-kick was the difference between the two sides, but the gulf in class was evident throughout and United probably should have more than a one-goal lead to take into this evening’s leg.

That may be of concern, but you’d back the Red Devils to get the job done tonight given the decent 90 minute display they put in last week.

Excellent European form at Old Trafford

Old Trafford may not have been the happiest of hunting grounds for United this season in the Premier League, but their home form in Europe has been outstanding.

The Red Devils won all three of their group stage matches, including thumping Fenerbahe 4-1 and Feyenoord 4-0, and then won the first two of their knockout games against Saint-Etienne and FC Rostov 3-0 and 1-0 respectively.

Although they only drew against Anderlecht after 90 minutes in the previous round, they still found a way to win the game in extra-time, and with a draw being enough for Mourinho’s men this evening, their stunning European home record this term will surely see them over the line.

It’s the priority

It’s been clear pretty much since they qualified from the group that Mourinho has been targeting Europa League success this season, and that hasn’t changed in the last few weeks.

He made eight changes to the side that beat Celta Vigo last week for the game against Arsenal on Sunday, and has often alluded to the Europa League as their best chance of reaching the Champions League next season, what with it becoming increasingly difficult for them to finish in the top four.

And that is why they simply have to win and progress to the final this evening – it has become their priority, and to a certain extent, Mourinho has put all his eggs in one basket in terms of winning the competition.

The Portuguese has always valued trophies throughout his time as a manager (albeit not necessarily the Europa League!), and this term has been no different, and he’s sure to look back on the campaign, should they win it having already won the League Cup, as a good start to life as United boss.

Thus, this evening’s game is arguably his biggest since taking over at the club.