Man Utd won the Europa League under Jose Mourinho on this day in 2017 (Image: GETTY)
May 24, 2017 marked the moment Jose Mourinho made Manchester United history by guiding them to the Europa League trophy for the first-ever time. The Red Devils struggled in the Premier League that year, ultimately finishing sixth. But Mourinho steered the Red Devils back into the Champions League - and to a trophy, too.
Manchester United met Ajax in the Europa League final in Stockholm.
They’d ran their luck in the semi-final showdown with Celta Vigo at Old Trafford, only narrowly avoiding elimination courtesy of a late miss from former Manchester City youngster John Guidetti.
United got the job done, though, winning 2-0 in Sweden.
Paul Pogba, who had returned from Juventus the summer before, opened the scoring in the 18th minute.
And Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored United’s second just three minuted into the second half, with the Red Devils holding on to win the prize.
But where are they now? Express Sport will take a look at the team that featured under Mourinho that day.
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United have had Sergio Romero on their books ever since 2015 and, two years after his move, he started the Europa League final.
He’s still at Old Trafford but could leave this summer. particularly with Dean Henderson primed to return from his loan spell at Sheffield United.
Antonio Valencia
United signed Antonio Valencia as their replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009, with the player going on to spend a glittering decade at the club.
He’s currently playing for L.D.U. Quito after leaving the Red Devils on a free transfer last summer.
Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling has been at United ever since Sir Alex Ferguson snapped him up from Fulham in 2010.
He’s still on their books but, like Romero, is expected to leave. He’s flourished on loan at Roma this season but whether they have the financial power to snap him up remains to be seen.
Daley Blind
Daley Blind was always a slick operator for United - but his lack of pace meant he struggled to live up to his full potential in the Premier League.
He was sold to Ajax in 2018 and helped them make the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.
Matteo Darmian
Matteo Darmian was another signing United made that didn’t work out the way they wanted.
The Italy international never lived up to old comparisons with Gary Neville and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer allowed him to leave or Parma last summer.
Ander Herrera
Ander Herrera was a popular figure throughout his time at United, with fans admiring the Spaniard’s tenacity and composure on the ball.
After the club made a last-gasp attempt to tie him down to a new contract last summer, he chose to depart. He’s currently at PSG and has won the Ligue 1 title in his first season.
The opening scorer that night in Sweden, Pogba’s United future is uncertain.
Solskjaer would like the France international to stay but he’s had his heart set on a move away from Old Trafford for some time now. Juventus, not Real Madrid, appear favourites for his signature.
Marouane Fellaini
He wasn’t liked by every United fan but Marouane Fellaini was always Mourinho’s man for the big occasion.
The Belgium international was sold by Solskjaer in January 2019 and is currently strutting his stuff for Shandong Luneng Taishan.
Juan Mata
Juan Mata isn’t the same slick player he was at Chelsea.
But United value the Spain international for his creative instincts and experience, having given him a new contract last summer.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Mkhitaryan was another Mourinho signing that didn’t really make the grade - but he was deadly in the Europa League.
He scored United’s second against Ajax - which was his sixth of the competition that year.
Marcus Rashford
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic out through injury, Marcus Rashford was given the chance to lead the line.
And, though the England international didn’t score, he helped the Red Devils pick up the trophy nonetheless.