MANCHESTER UNITED are into the semi-finals of the Europa League after a comfortable 4-0 aggregate win over Granada.
- Final score: Man Utd 2-0 Granada
- Goalscorers: Cavani 6′, Vallejo OG 90′
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THAT’S ALL FROM OLD TRAFFORD
Where the Reds have gone marching on, on, on.
A routine 2-0 Manchester United success added to the one registered in Spain last Thursday, and ensured the Premier League club’s place in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Granada were ultimately no match for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer men. Roma, who await in the final four, will surely be a different proposition.
Looking for some late night reading? Here’s Martin Blackburn’s match report of Manchester United’s victory this evening.
Goodnight.
ECSTATIC OLE
A delighted Ole Gunnar Solskjaer feels his Manchester United team are full of confidence after another victory, and relishes the opportunity to face Roma in the last four.
Granada give you a game. They’re physical and throw people forward so you have to defend in these kind of games. The win, a clean sheet, and some good individual performances means we’re full of confidence going into Sunday. I’ve not seen too much of Roma, but they’ve played two good games against Ajax. They defend well as Italian teams always do, and we all know Edin Dzeko so every ball into the box is a dangerous one. We are looking forward to it though. We’re in the semis, and it feels like a proper European tie because Roma is a club with lots of history. We’ve done well against Italian sides before.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
FERNANDES FOCUSED ON SEMI
Bruno Fernandes has urged caution at any thoughts of May’s Europa League Final, and insists that his side are only focused on the semi-final against Roma – and their league responsibilities before then.
The Europa League is always difficult, it doesn’t matter who you play against. We knew Granada have quality, and that they can create something, but we did well. We controlled the game and had a lot of the ball. We kept it moving, and the result shows that. Now it is time for the next step and to win the semi-final.
Bruno Fernandes
SEMI MORE
Advancing to the final four of European competition has become second nature to Manchester United, but their supporters won’t be happy unless their team go on to lift the trophy.
Perhaps next season, United can target semi-final number 19 with the aim of finally knocking Liverpool off their perch.
SCORES AND DRAW
Elsewhere this evening, the other quarter-final ties have all finished:
- MAN UTD 2-0 GRANADA (AGG 4-0)
- ROMA 1-1 AJAX (AGG 3-2)
- SLAVIA PRAGUE 0-4 ARSENAL (AGG 1-5)
- VILLARREAL 2-1 DINAMO ZAGREB (AGG 3-1)
This is what it means for the semi-finals, and the possibility of two all-English finals in Europe this season remains a distinct possibility.
- MAN UTD v ROMA
- VILLARREAL v ARSENAL
The first legs of the semis will be played on April 29 with the returns a week later.
FT: MAN UTD 2-0 GRANADA (AGG 2-0)
Manchester United follow up their 2-0 win in Spain by beating Granada 2-0 at Old Trafford. Edinson Cavani’s early volley set the Premier League side on their way, but they had to wait until the final minute for the second when Jesus Vallejo put through his own net.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
MANCHESTER UNITED CRUISE INTO THE SEMI-FINALS!
MAN UTD 2-0 GRANADA (AGG 4-0)
As the clock strikes ninety minutes, United grab their second of the night through Jesus Vallejo’s own-goal.
The Spanish defender is unable to get himself out of the way once Juan Mata fails to connect with an attempted header, and unintentionally deflects Alex Telles’ cross into the bottom of his own net.
It came after an extraordinary spell of play in which David De Gea brilliantly saved from Yangel Herrera at point blank range, and Amad Diallo was denied a free-kick having been brought down when through on goal.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!
JESUS VALLEJO HEADS INTO HIS OWN NET!!MAN UTD 1-0 GRANADA (AGG 3-0)
89. Alex Telles spoons a hopeless clearance over his own crossbar.
I was going to suggest that’s what happen when the defender uses his right foot, but then I watched the replay and realised it was with his left.
MAN UTD 1-0 GRANADA (AGG 3-0)
86. Ooof! A thunderbolt from Victor Diaz!
The Granada captain’s blaster from the edge of the area is straight down the throat of De Gea, who nevertheless does well to keep hold of the ball such is its power.
MAN UTD 1-0 GRANADA (AGG 3-0)
83. I understand the reasoning for allowing five substitutions in European games this season, but they really do suck the life out of a second half when both clubs use up their full quota.
It was certainly the case last night for Liverpool against Real Madrid.
MAN UTD 1-0 GRANADA (AGG 3-0)
81. Sigh. More substitutions.
Nehuen Perez replaces German for what is Granada’s fifth and final switch.
Meanwhile, we finally get a glimpse of Amad, who comes on for Greenwood. Brandon Williams is also at the expense of Wan-Bissaka.
MAN UTD 1-0 GRANADA (AGG 3-0)
79. There’s been nothing of interest happening on the pitch so I’ve been watching videos of cute monkeys on Twitter.
MAN UTD 1-0 GRANADA (AGG 3-0)
78. I’ll be honest, this has become pretty boring.
MAN UTD 1-0 GRANADA (AGG 3-0)
75. Neva’s last act was to pick up that caution. He’s off to be replaced by club captain Victor Diaz.
MAN UTD 1-0 GRANADA (AGG 3-0)
74. Herrera is penalised for catching Fred on the foot, which sparks a minor scuffle outside of the Granada penalty area.
Referee Istvan Kovacs shows a yellow card to Carlos Neva once the melee subsides, and Alex Telles fires the free-kick into the wall.
MAN UTD 1-0 GRANADA (AGG 3-0)
73. A well-earned rest for Bruno Fernandes means a cameo for Juan Mata.
There’s no sign of £35m man Amad Diallo to placate eager United fans.
MAN UTD 1-0 GRANADA (AGG 3-0)
71. Herrera lines up a blaster from 25 yards out, but it’s well blocked by Tuanzebe at close quarters.
Meanwhile, as Juan Mata prepares to come on, the news is that Roma have equalised against Ajax courtesy of Edin Dzeko. The Italians lead 3-2 on aggregate.
MAN UTD 1-0 GRANADA (AGG 3-0)
69. Yes, German is much more effective in his own penalty area.
The Spanish defender is alert to the danger of Dan James’ run in behind as Fernandes unleashes a through pass, and slides in calmly to intervene.
MAN UTD 1-0 GRANADA (AGG 3-0)
66. But Granada keep going!
A free-kick from the near touchline somehow travels all the way through a crowd of players on the edge of the box, and presents a half chance for German.
The Granada captain is required to swivel and shoot in the blink of an eye, a feat difficult enough for the best strikers let alone a 34-year-old centre-half.
Unsurprisingly, the shot is pulled well wide.
MAN UTD 1-0 GRANADA (AGG 3-0)
63. As the tie enters it’s final half hour, it’s fair to say that it’s become something of a non-contest.
Time for Ole to ring the changes and give a youngster or two an opportunity?
MAN UTD 1-0 GRANADA (AGG 3-0)
61. German goes into the book for handball after sliding in to divert Fernandes’ pass away with his arm.
Meanwhile, Dan James is on for Edinson Cavani, whose goal separates the two teams on the night.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
