Cape Town - Jose Mourinho says it would be “amazing” if Manchester United lift the Europa League trophy after securing their place in the final.
United survived a late scare in the second leg of their semi-final against Spanish side Celta Vigo to progress 2-1 on aggregate and seal a meeting with Ajax in the final on May 24.
Vigo piled on the pressure in the closing stages and spurned several glorious opportunities, yet United progressed and can now land a Champions League spot, if they triumph in the final.
"This season has been so difficult, so if we manage to win the Europa League it will be amazing," said Mourinho.
"It means a chance to win a trophy and the opportunity to be back in the Champions League.
“In the end, when the game was difficult, when they were better than us and we were in trouble and not playing well, it was that mentality, that desire, that togetherness that made the boys fight until the end.
“The final means an opportunity to win a trophy, to be back in the Champions League, and to end the season in the perfect way because it is the last match of the season.”
However, United will be without Eric Bailly in the final after the defender and Vigo’s Facundo Roncaglia were both sent off late on for their part in an ugly melee.
“Roncaglia’s not new in these kind of situations and probably Eric was a bit naive,” added Mourinho.
“We lose a very important player for the final and we don’t have many.”
Meanwhile Mourinho added that he would rest a number of players against Crystal Palace just two days before the Europa League final.