Phelan preaches patience as Red Devils face European semi-final

Former Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan is urging the Red Devils to be patient as they attempt to take a step closer to the Europa League final.

United play Celta Vigo in Thursday’s semi-final first leg with a strong result putting them in the driving seat ahead of a return clash at Old Trafford.

Phelan was a long-term member of Sir Alex Ferguson’s backroom staff between 2001 and 2013, during which time the club developed a routine of enjoying success in European away matches.

The team flew to Spain on Wednesday afternoon with centre backs Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, who have been absent recently due to injury, both taking part in training beforehand.

And Phelan is confident manager Jose Mourinho would have done his homework on their Spanish opponents with a place in the final at stake.

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

“Going away in Europe is a different challenge,” he said.

“You have got to get everything prepared properly, you have got to be in the right frame of mind, you have got to have the right players available for that game.

“But you have also got to be patient. It is a two-legged affair and you are away from home first, so the importance is to be in the tie for the second leg. That is the experience we gained over the years.

“Jose will be solid, he will be diligent to the fact that Celta Vigo have been one of the better teams in the competition and he will know his stuff. He’s been at the highest level, he knows what Europe is all about, knows how to conduct himself and he knows how to motivate the players for a semi-final tie.”