To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders
Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications
Published
| Last updated
Edinson Cavani came to Mason Greenwood's rescue and staunchly defended the Manchester United starlet during a heated altercation with two Roma players.
United suffered a 3-2 defeat to Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday during their second-leg Europa League semi-final clash.
Loading…
But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men punched their ticket to the final thanks to the 8-5 aggregate scoreline.
Despite United's defeat on the night, Cavani was in fine form for the Red Devils and scored a brace against Roma.
However, the 34-year-old Uruguayan striker earned praise from United fans when he intervened during Greenwood's war of words with Gianluca Mancini and Rick Karsdorp.
During the second half, Greenwood and Mancini were caught squaring up before Karsdorp stepped up and confronted the 19-year-old United forward.
You mess with Mason Greenwood...
You mess with Edinson Cavani :triumph:#UEL pic.twitter.com/gx54aqv9J8
- Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 6, 2021
Cavani stick up for Greenwood :muscle:
You love to see it! pic.twitter.com/ZkkY9bdXwP
- Aidan Walsh :beginner: (@AidanWalshMUFC) May 6, 2021
I LOVE THIS VIDEO. BIG UP CAVANI :heart_eyes: pic.twitter.com/pJIivuHWMc
- Devils of United :beginner: (@DevilsOfUnited) May 6, 2021
Cavani wasted no time by pushing Karsdorp away and confronted the 26-year-old Roma right-back.
Mancini returned and tried to pull Cavani away before the pair clashed in a heated altercation as players from both teams separated them.
However, Cavani's actions were lauded by United fans as they loved how he defended Greenwood from both Mancini and Karsdorp.
Love Edi more and more. Stepping in and taking heat. Love Cavani more and more
- Tim Roebuck (@tim_roebuck) May 6, 2021
Brilliant from Cav. Experience to show who is the boss. Fckin great role model for the likes of Greenwood rashford amad etc
- Darren Hughes (@Darren__Hughes) May 6, 2021
Big players have big game attitude and he's a team player in every sense
- Stu (@Stuart01272480) May 6, 2021
That's leadership! Should be one of the Captain next season
- RedManc (@kr11merc) May 6, 2021
Cavani identifies Mason is just 19 and might be non-confrontational about certain issues on the pitch thus steps in for him everytime he's in trouble. My striker!
- ℭ (@TheCecilBaidoo) May 6, 2021
CavanI was ready to swing there and then . Can tell he's gonna turn Greenwood into a true striker treating him like he's his son there
- lee storey (@leestorey18) May 6, 2021
Speaking after the second-leg clash, Solskjaer praised David de Gea for his performance against Roma as he insisted United were 'lucky' to have "one of the best 'keepers in the world."
The United boss told BT Sport: "It feels good to be in the final. We played one very, very good half at Old Trafford which has taken us through.
"I'm disappointed we lost, especially the way we played in the second half.
"It could easily have been 8-6 to them. It was a strange game.
"We kept giving them the ball, but luckily we have one of the best 'keepers in the world. We are in the final and are looking forward to 26th May."
"A strange game of football!"
"Luckily we've got one of the best goalkeepers in the world!"
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer picked out De Gea and Cavani for praise after a more entertaining second leg than he would have liked in Rome!
:microphone2:️ @patrickendrick pic.twitter.com/WhpNftTVM6
- Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 6, 2021
United will now face Villarreal on 26th May in the Europa League final at the Arena Gdansk in Poland.
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/BT Sport
Topics: Football, Europa League, Manchester United, Serie A, Mason Greenwood, UEFA, Roma, Premier League, England, Edinson Cavani, Italy