Man Utd vs AS Roma: Who will make the Europa League final?

You know it's truly the business end of the season when you get to the semi-finals of European club competitions.

The Europa League has whittled down to the final four and has produced two very intriguing ties as Arsenal take on Villarreal and former manager Unai Emery, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United will take on Serie A giants Roma.

Both ties have got factors and narratives to them that make them far from straight forward, and there's plenty on offer between Man Utd and Roma

So who will progress? 90min breaks it down for you...

Defenders

Manchester United have been decent at the back this season, conceding 50 goals in 51 games in all competitions this season, and have kept 15 clean sheets in 27 games in 2021.

As for Roma, they've not been as solid as you would usually expect a top Italian team to be. Despite adding Chris Smalling to their ranks on a permanent deal last summer, Roma have conceded 54 goals in all competitions this season from just 43 games.

United play with a traditional back four more often than not, while Roma tend to go with a three-at-the-back system. And yet United seem to be far more comfortable under pressure, and none of Roma's defenders would get into the United team. That says a lot considering the defence is an area of the pitch that is deemed to need strengthening at Old Trafford, so they definitely get the nod in this category.

WINNER: MANCHESTER UNITED

Attack

When it comes to attacking talent, there aren't many sides with the strength that Manchester United have. Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani, Mason Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba could all compete for a place at almost any side in Europe and if they're on song they're incredibly difficult to stop.

Roma have got some big names in attack themselves, with former Champions League winner Pedro part of the supporting cast to former Manchester City star Edin Dzeko and ex-Red Devil Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Despite the talent though, the goals have been more shared out across the squad.

Both teams have attacking talent and average around two goals per game, but looking at the individual quality, it's hard to argue that the Premier League side don't have the edge.

WINNER: MANCHESTER UNITED

Form

With the semi-final just two weeks away, what we're seeing from the teams right now is likely what we'll get in the tie as well.

Man Utd are on a great run of form having won their last four in a row and have lost just once in their last 19 games in all competitions. They seem to have found a great balance to the team, whether they need to break down a low block or they're counter attacking, and it makes them a threat no matter what.

Roma on the other hand have just three wins in their last seven games in all competitions and since the turn of the year they've suffered defeat six times in 23 games. Paulo Fonseca's side tend to either turn up to perform or freeze in the headlights with only seven draws all season, and with that sort of inconsistency Man Utd should be confident of progressing.

WINNER: MANCHESTER UNITED

Big game records

Big games have been the source of most of the scrutiny Manchester United have suffered this season. In the Champions League, they were able to beat both PSG and RB Leipzig once each, but then also lost to them as they crashed out in the group stages.

In the Premier League, they were smashed at home by Spurs and beaten by Arsenal, before holding Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City to 0-0 draws. They then drew with Arsenal in the reverse fixture and drew with Chelsea again, but have beaten Spurs and Man City to improve their record.

Roma's record isn't as positive and they're winless against the sides currently above them in Serie A. They managed to hold Juventus and AC Milan to draws early in the season, but were thumped by Atalanta and Napoli before being beaten by Inter and then local rivals Lazio. They were then beaten by Juventus and Milan in the reverse fixtures before losing to Napoli again - they really do struggle against the better sides.

WINNER: MANCHESTER UNITED

Conclusion

Manchester United are the clear favourites in this clash.

They have the better XI, the better squad, are in better form and are performing at a higher level across the board.

It's hard to see this tie going in any direction other than with Manchester United reaching the final, but it would still be the first time Solskjaer made it past a semi-final as manager at Old Trafford - can he finally crack it?