Manchester City winger Nolito believes his former club Celta Vigo have the quality to beat Manchester United and reach the Europa League final.

Celta host United in Thursday's first leg of their first major European semifinal.

Spain international Nolito, who played for Celta from 2013 until last summer, told Radio Marca Vigo: "I hope Celta get a good result on Thursday and reach the final.

"They have a chance of going through. Manchester are a great team -- but so are Celta.

"Celta need to be focused and make the most of the opportunities they get. If they set their mind to it they can do it, and they are capable of winning at Old Trafford."

Celta, coached by Eduardo Berizzo, are 11th in La Liga after an indifferent recent run, but Nolito said they "deserve to be in the final because of the season they've had."

Meanwhile, Celta's Sweden striker John Guidetti, who has previously played for Manchester City, said the pressure would be on United.

"For Manchester not to reach the final would be a disaster because it's a club that needs to play in the Champions League," he told El Faro de Vigo.

He said he was disappointed that injured compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimovic would not feature, adding: "I would have preferred if he had played because he is a good friend of mine and I always like to face the best.

"At the same time, it's good news for Celta that he is out. He is a great player -- but United still have a lot of good players."

Guidetti added that Thursday's game was "special for any player" and said: "It's Manchester United, the biggest club in the world.

"But above all, it's a Europa League semifinal. We've got two more games and we can be in the final -- and that is incredible."

Goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez told Faro de Vigo that United were "clear favourites because of the budget and the players they have."

But he added: "We will fight until the end. We are experiencing a dream, while for them it's a duty to be in the semifinals."