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If the recent seasons of La Liga have taught us anything, it's that Valencia is not to be trifled with.
Atletico Madrid joined Barca on 15 points after scraping a 1-0 win at home to Real Betis with a late strike from substitute Angel Correa to climb above Real Madrid into third.
It was another frustrating outing for United and Mourinho, who finally took some responsibility for his team's poor form after defiantly defending his tactics and team selection throughout a patchy start to the season.
Carlos Soler put the La Liga side ahead in the 17th minute with a powerful finish before United defender Phil Jones scored an embarrassing own goal at the start of the second half to double Valencia's lead.
Gian Piero Gasperini's Serie A side raced into a two-goal lead by halftime with goals from Hans Hateboer and Josip Ilicic, while Valencia were denied by the post.
The win took second-placed Real to 62 points after 29 games, two behind champions Barca.
Karim Benzema put Madrid ahead with a scorching strike from outside the area but Valencia replied with Soler's penalties and a bizarre own goal from Raphael Varane, inflicting a second defeat on Madrid this season.
Barca are still top of the standings on 43 points after 21 games.
Real will meet the winners of Thursday's second semifinal between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in Sunday's showpiece at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah.
Garay, who was set to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, became the first player in La Liga to confirm a positive test earlier on Sunday.
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