Granada 0-2 Man Utd LIVE RESULT: Rashford and Bruno Fernandes penalty put United in Europa League command

THAT’S ALL FROM ANDALUSIA

Manchester United will return to England with a comfortable two-goal lead that has them 90 minutes away from an 18th European semi-final.

Goals from Marcus Rashford, who converted Victor Lindelof’s impressive long pass in the first half, and Bruno Fernandes, scorer of a weak penalty in the final minute, have United deservedly in control of the tie..

The advantage should allow Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to field some of his second string in the second leg next week – which is probably just as well seeing as three of his first teamers in Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay have been ruled out through suspension.

That’s all from us, but if you’re looking for something else before bed, here’s Neil Custis’ match report from Nuevo Los Carmenes.

Goodnight.

SOLSKJAER REACTION

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was delighted with the professionalism of his players in recording a 2-0 away win at Granada, but was left to rue the yellow cards that will keep three of his defensive players out of the return at Old Trafford next week.

It’s not a perfect night. We got three yellow cards and it means three suspensions for the next game, but a 2-0 win is a very good result. We know how difficult it is coming to Spain, and we have to play well to get these kind of results. [Our approach for the second leg will be] the same, we want to win every game of football. It’s a young team that is learning all the time. In football, it can catch you so quickly if you rest and we cannot have any approach other than to go forward and score goals – especially at home.

Ole Gunnar SolskjaerBT Sport

RED DEVILS RATED

Find out who shone in Spain, and who failed to impress with our player ratings from Manchester United’s match with Granada.

Rashford showed no sign of the ankle problem that threatened to keep him out of this game but was taken off just past the hour mark with his team looking comfortable.

THE PORTUGUESE PENALTY KING

It wasn’t his best strike from the spot, but Bruno Fernandes’ late penalty was his 19th successful attempt since joining Manchester United.

FULL TIME STATS

United dominated in Spain without ever really getting into first gear. The Red Devils had twice as much possession as their opponents, and clocked more than double the amount of passes.

FULL TIME RESULTS

In tonight’s other Europa League quarter-final first legs:

• Arsenal 1-1 Slavia Prague
• Ajax 1-2 Roma
• Dinamo Zagreb 0-1 Villarreal

A reminder that the winners of Granada and Manchester United will play either Ajax or Roma in the semi-finals.

FT: GRANADA 0-2 MAN UTD

Manchester United have one foot in the Europa League semi-finals after a comfortable 2-0 win in southern Spain. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s team were far from their best but got the job done thanks to Marcus Rashford’s goal in the first half and a Bruno Fernandes penalty at the death. It means a comfortable cushion for the second which the Red Devils will have to play without the suspended trio of Scott McTominay, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire.

PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FULL TIME WHISTLE GOES!

GRANADA 0-2 MAN UTD

90+3. There’s a glimpse of goal for Granada in the third of four added minutes, but Suarez is penalised for a foul on Maguire at the vital moment.

GRANADA 0-2 MAN UTD

90. In the final minute of the match, Manchester United bag the second goal that should ultimately see them into the semi-finals.

There’s a touch of good fortune in both the taking of the penalty and in its award, but followers of the Old Trafford club will not care.

Bruno Fernandes gets himself on the scoresheet for the 24th time this season, but the Portuguese midfielder was afforded a helping hand by his compatriot in the Granada goal.

Fired low to his right, Rui Silva got down low and quickly to meet Fernandes’ strike, only to push it into the net.

There looked little in the challenge that led to Artur Dias pointing to the spot with Fernandes going down easily following a hand in the face from Yan Brice as they jostled for a cross in the box.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!
BRUNO FERNANDES SQUEEZES IN A SECOND!!

BRUNO FERNANDES GOES DOWN IN THE BOX!
PENALTY TO MANCHESTER UNITED!

GRANADA 0-1 MAN UTD

86. Roberto Soldado goes off and Luis Suarez comes on. Don’t worry, it’s not that one.

GRANADA 0-1 MAN UTD

85. Donny Van de Beek is on for the final minutes in Spain. The Dutchman replaces Mason Greenwood.

GRANADA 0-1 MAN UTD

84. Matic is yellow carded for an aerial challenge with Puertas.

Both sets of players are furious; Granada’s because they believe Matic led with an elbow, United’s because they feel there was nothing in it.

I’m with the latter, there looked little in it once again.

GRANADA 0-1 MAN UTD

83. Granada survive by the skin of their teeth.

Fernandes gets in behind on the overlap, taking James’ pass in his path, and tries to slip a shot beyond Rui Silva.

A touch from the goalkeeper and a block from captain Victor Diaz manage to keep out, not just Fernandes’ effort but two follow-up shots.

As it is, Fernandes looks to have been a yard offside on the replays.

GRANADA 0-1 MAN UTD

81. Machis shows fresh energy to pinch the ball off of Wan-Bissaka and drive forward.

The substitute has little in the way of options so goes for goal himself from distance, clattering a shot into Lindelof and behind.

GRANADA 0-1 MAN UTD

79. German takes two bites of the cherry to deter Fernandes. The substitute cuts out a lofted pass intended for the Manchester United with one header, and then, following up, clears to safety with a second.

GRANADA 0-1 MAN UTD

77. Alex Telles and Edinson Cavani nearly bring a touch of South American class to what has been a pretty turgid affair.

The left-back sends in a scintillating cross which the Uruguayan fails to read until it’s too late to reach it.

GRANADA 0-1 MAN UTD

75. A double change for the Spaniards. Dimitri Foulquier and Darwin Machis are on with Carlos Neva and Kenedy making way.

GRANADA 0-1 MAN UTD

73. A third United sub sees Nemanja Matic replace Paul Pogba. The Serbian’s arrival usually means it’s time to shore up and settle for what we’ve got.

GRANADA 0-1 MAN UTD

71. And another one! Harry Maguire is the latest to be ruled out of the second leg through suspension. The Manchester United captain joins Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay in picking up a yellow card that brings a one-match ban.

In truth, there was little in his challenge on Soldado, but the centre-back pays a heavy price for getting on the wrong side of his man.

GRANADA 0-1 MAN UTD

69. Over on the right, Herrera follows Kenedy’s lead. The midfielder makes room for his space to travel inside the area, but ends up dragging his shot so wide that it stays in play.

In fact, Grenada manage to keep the attack alive, and when the ball is recycled into the box, it’s Herrera again on the end of it it. The Manchester City loanee takes a heavy touch, and then thumps a shot high over the crossbar.