Marcus Rashford’s 20th goal of this season helped Manchester United to a 2-0 success over newbies Granada in the main leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie away to Spain.
The forward’s finish from a fine Victor Lindelof pass in the main half and a late spot-kick goal from Bruno Fernandes got an ordering first-leg advantage in Thursday’s conflict at the Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were not especially motivated in assault yet seldom looked disturbed by a group who have effectively wiped out Napoli in a great first European mission. Chelsea loanee Kenedy was a danger with shots from distance, yet Diego Martinez’s men couldn’t make clear openings against a Red Devils disciplined defense, especially with just 33% of the ball.
Granada 0-2 Man Utd FT:
Shots: 11-13
Shots on target: 3-3
Passing accuracy: 60%-86%
Possession: 33%-67% https://t.co/G9jMaiexqA— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 8, 2021
Rashford, who supported a lower leg injury concern in the success over Brighton and Hove Albion last Sunday, gave off an impression of being battling in the early trades as United made difficult work of separating Granada.
The English forward looked fit and sharp 31 minutes in, however, hooking onto Lindelof’s long ball over the top prior to nudging a fine goal against goalkeeper Rui Silva. The goal then started a little life into Granada’s assault, Kenedy’s driven volley from the edge of the space giving the returning David de Gea something to do.
Kenedy twice tried De Gea again from fresh after the restart however they were easy to save for the United shot-stopper, who was generally for the most part untroubled. Fernandes had a calm game however he crushed a penalty under Silva’s grip to score a possibly definitive second away goal in the 90th moment after Yan Eteki was punished for driving a hand into the Portugal star’s face.
What’s the significance here? United have an edge over an inexperienced side:
It was anything but a rush a-minute challenge however it places United in a decent situation to advance to the semi-finals for the second season in succession, and there was little offered by Granada to stress them unduly.
Be that as it may, Solskjaer will need a more dedicated and imaginative presentation when they travel to Tottenham this end of the week on the off chance that they are to save their long unbeaten away run.
Manchester United should protect Rashford from further injuries:
Rashford’s fine goal made him the first United player to hit twofold figures in sequential seasons since Wayne Rooney 11 years prior.
He fell off with a little under 30 minutes remaining, and Solskjaer should deal with his lower leg concern cautiously: their class position, and their odds of winning this opposition, could rely upon it.
Greenwood disappears:
The matchwinner against Brighton last Sunday, Mason Greenwood offered minimal assaulting danger in Spain and battled to hold up the ball or connection the play.
One such helpless utilization of the ball gave Granada an uncommon opportunity to break at speed in the United half, in spite of the fact that they couldn’t create utilization of the open door.
Manager’s words after the match:
☑️ 4-0 vs. Real Sociedad
☑️ 1-0 vs. AC Milan
☑️ 2-0 vs. GranadaManchester United have now kept a clean sheet in all three of their away games in the #UEL. pic.twitter.com/bbtdoLFYfl
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 8, 2021
While speaking to BT Sports, Solksjaer said: “It was not a perfect night. We got three yellow cards and three suspensions. 2-0 is a very good result. We know how difficult it is to come to Spain. We’ve got to play well to get a result. They have been exceptional, so important for us. It was a very good run by Rashford, takes the ball fantastically. Bruno is so confident on penalties even though the keeper almost saved it. We want to win every game. It’s still a young team, a learning team. We have to improve all the time. Football catches you so quickly if you rest. We can’t have any other approach.”
What’s next?
Before next Thursday’s subsequent leg, each side re-visitation of homegrown activity on Sunday. Manchester United face Tottenham away in the Premier League, with Granada venturing out to Real Valladolid in LaLiga.
