One Step Into The Europa League Semi-Finals

Manchester United took a step towards their second consecutive semi-final appearance in the Europa League with a first-leg 2-0 win away to Granada.

Highlights of Granada vs Manchester United, Europa League Quarter-Final, 1st Leg

Granada was aggressive throughout the game and it was quite unlike anything you face in England. It brought back memories of English teams in the 90s. For all of Granada’s hustling and hard-nosed style, I don’t remember them creating many or any clear-cut chances. Manchester City loanee Yangel Herrera hit the post with one attempt and he was a player that impressed me. Ex-Chelsea player Kenedy had some difficult shots that he kept on target but didn’t trouble David De Gea.

I felt defensively, we put in a good shift. We were solid and Victor Lindelof had a fantastic game. He produced a fabulous assist for Marcus Rashford’s goal. The assist was matched by a great first touch by the young Englishman and he cooly slotted it past the goalkeeper. In attack, we were again lacking the X-factor. The attacking play was toothless and disjointed. Rashford was our biggest threat going forward. Bruno Fernandes had another below-par game. Bruno’s performances are going under the radar because he can still produce an assist or a goal even when not at his best. Despite his performance, he scored the crucial second away goal to take into the return leg. It looked like the penalty was soft and it was nearly saved by his countryman, Rui Silva.

Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw will miss the return leg due to suspension and due to that the importance of that second goal was amplified. We should be safe to qualify to the semi-final of the Europa League if we don’t mess up the second leg.



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