Jose Mourinho described Eric Bailly as "naive" and admitted the defender will be a big miss in the Europa League final following his sending off against Celta Vigo.

Manchester United will have the chance to add the Europa League to their bulging trophy cabinet after edging through a frantic, tempestuous semi-final against Celta Vigo.

Jose Mourinho has called on the Old Trafford faithful to raise the roof for a Europa League semi-final the manager claims is the “most important” match in Manchester United’s history.

Greetings once more from Paris, where I am covering the presidential election, the result of which is due, as I write, in an hour’s time.

Jose Mourinho’s self-confessed gamble to prioritise the Europa League over the Premier League looks like being a success, after Marcus Rashford’s stunning free-kick gave Manchester United a vital first-leg lead in the semi-final against Celta Vigo, putting them within touching distance of both a trophy and a place at Europe’s top table for 2018.

Jose Mourinho’s determination to bring a problematic season to an historic end means the Manchester United manager will pull out all the stops to secure a place in the Europa League final.

Barcelona took over as LaLiga leaders with a 6-1 thrashing of Sporting Gijon tonight - but their antics were soon overshadowed by the news Luis Enrique is to leave the Nou Camp.

With Chelsea forging clear in the Premier League, James Whelan casts his eye over the pacesetters and chasing packs in Europe’s top flight competitions.

Last week, many around Real Madrid were claiming that the selection of their youth talent was their best hope of getting something from this season.

No one likes a show-off. You either love them or hate them.

Lionel Messi’s goal was enough for Barcelona to beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 and clinch the La Liga title for the Catalan club.

Celta Vigo stunned Atletico Madrid to bring the La Liga champions back down to earth after last week’s demolition of Real Madrid, winning 2-0 at Balaidos thanks to two second-half goals.

International Friendly

On Saturday evening, at the Camp Nou, Barcelona’s big name strike-force started their second game together, as Luis Suarez made his competitive home debut alongside fellow South American superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar.

In June 2007, then Ireland U21 manager Don Givens hired a little known 35-year-old coach, whose previous experience was in the youth academies at Chelsea and Fulham.

LA LIGA

Someone will finally have to claim this season’s La Liga trophy next Saturday when Atletico Madrid travel to Barcelona’s Camp Nou.

Barça almost don’t deign to regard their cross town neighbours Espanyol as a genuine rival.

Liverpool last night confirmed the signing of striker Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers’ summer strengthening is beginning to gather pace after an agreement was secured to bring in Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas.

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre expects the next step in the redevelopment of Anfield will be completed this summer.

Jose Mourinho admitted his Real Madrid side deserved nothing from their Copa del Rey clash at Celta Vigo last night but backed his players to turn around the tie in the second leg at the Bernabeu.

Barcelona star Leo Messi has become a dad.

Real Madrid reduced the gap at the top of the Primera Division to eight points ahead of next week’s El Clasico as Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick led them to a 5-1 victory over Deportivo La Coruna last night.

Helder Postiga left it late to earn Real Zaragoza victory over 10-man Espanyol in the Primera Division.

Sevilla opened their Primera Division season with a deserved 2-1 win in an occasionally scrappy game at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Birmingham are hoping to sign Celta Vigo midfielder Borja Oubina in a loan deal before the transfer window closes at midnight.

Holland Under-21 winger Daniel de Ridder who has just joined the Blues' squad first impressed City manager Steve Bruce with his performances in the recent European Championships.

Real Madrid moved to within two points of Primera Liga leaders Barcelona after they came from behind to defeat title rivals Sevilla 3-1 at the Bernabeu.

LEWIS GRABBAN’S injury-time goal gave Crystal Palace a 3-2 Coca Cola Championship victory over West Brom at The Hawthorns, denting Albion’s promotion hopes.

SPARTAK Moscow’s hopes of emulating city rivals CSKA’s UEFA Cup win in 2005 took a knock as they were held to a draw by a battling Celta Vigo side.

NANCY’S UEFA Cup Group E clash against Feyenoord was suspended for more than 30 minutes last night after trouble broke out in the stands.

NEWCASTLE striker Albert Luque will start the UEFA Cup clash with Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany tonight after escaping unhurt from a road accident.

Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer will return to the starting line-up for Sunday’s vital Barclays Premiership clash with Portsmouth.

NEWCASTLE midfielder Nolberto Solano will take any trophy he can as he looks to help end Newcastle’s 37-year wait for silverware.

SEVILLA’S dream season continued yesterday as they took command of the Spanish Primera Liga at Barcelona’s expense with a 2-0 win over Osasuna.

SPANISH champions Barcelona sent out a warning shot to Champions League opponents Chelsea last night as they opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Spanish Primera Liga after their nearest rivals all faltered.

THE cheers in the Santiago Bernabeu that greeted Real Madrid’s 5-1 Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev in midweek turned to jeers yesterday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by local rivals Atletico Madrid.

SEVILLA open the defence of their UEFA Cup crown with a trip to Athens tonight and a meeting with Atromitos.