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Celta Vigo's John Guidetti wants to 'keep Manchester blue' against United

Former Manchester City striker John Guidetti has said he hopes "to keep the city blue" when his Celta Vigo side take on Manchester United in the Europa League semifinals.

Celta host United in the first leg on Thursday and Guidetti, who spent six years living in Manchester, said he followed the fortunes of both the city's teams.

He told UEFA's official website: "They [United] are a very good team. Obviously they've got a good manager, a fantastic stadium, and they're one of the favourites to win the Europa League.

"But, as they say, 'Manchester is blue' and that's how it will be when we visit there as well, because we are Celta Vigo and we will try to keep the city blue.''

The competition is important to United because it provides an alternative route into next season's Champions League if they miss out on a place in the Premier League's top four.

Celta are mid-table in La Liga, but Guidetti said spirit had carried them a long way and they were confident they could shock United.

"We believed from the start that we could get to the final," he added. "I think we've showed it in the way we play -- we've never given up.

"We also know what's at stake, not only that you win the Europa League but that you can also win a place in the Champions League. You have dreams about that.

"In football, strange things happen if you believe and I think, with the mentality we've built here, that nothing is impossible.''

Guidetti, 25, joined City at the age of 16 but never made the breakthrough to the first team.

He had loan spells at Feyenoord, Stoke and Celtic before a permanent move to Celta in 2015.