Soccer
Match report: Manchester United reach the semi-finals of the Europa League for the second time in a row, where they face Roma. Edinson Cavani’s goal and Jesus Vallejo’s own goal complete the 4-0 aggregate win over Granada
@ Ben_Islington
Manchester United booked Roma to a Europa League semi-final after Edinson Cavani’s early goals set them on the way to a 2-0 win over Granada at Old Trafford and a 4-0 aggregate victory.
Goals from Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes led to a 2-0 first leg triumph at Estadio Los Carmenes last week and United took control of the tie again within six minutes at Old Trafford.
Cavani had his predatory instincts underlined during the 3-1 win at Tottenham and the formidable Uruguayan scored his first European goal in the United colors and finished 50th overall after hitting Paul Pogba’s knockdown to drive his low drive into the lower corner Jesus Vallejo’s own goal in the last minute of regular time aggravated Granada’s night as the Spaniards missed a number of opportunities to keep the tie balanced lten, but United prevailed against Roma after beating Ajax 3-2 aggregate.
11 – Edinson Cavani has scored for the eleventh time in a row in a European competition. This is his first UEFA Europa League goal since December 2012 (for Napoli against PSV). Permanent. pic.twitter.com/mbsGhcsXRm
Man Utd: De Gea (7), Wan-Bissaka (8), Tuanzebe (7), Lindelof (7), Telles (7), Matic (7), Pogba (7 ), Fred (7), Fernandes (7) Greenwood (7), Cavani (7).
Subs: Mata (6), Diallo (n / a), James (6), Williams (n / a), Van de Beek (6).
Granada: Rui Silva (6), Foulquier (6), Vallejo (6), German (7), Neva (6), Montoro (6), Gonalons (6), Kenedy (6), Herrera (7), Machis ( 6), Soldado (5).
Subs: Suarez (6), Puertas (5), Diaz (6), Molina (6), Ruiz (n / a)
Man of the Game: Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is now preparing for his fifth semi-final in two years and hopes to do one better than in his previous four years. Roma will deliver a much tougher test than the eighth in La Liga, whose Europa League adventure all ended on home soil.
In the absence of suspended Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay, Solskjaer provided a strong side to make sure there would be no surprise in the second leg, and Cavani waited little time to finish the competition.
He gave United the dream start when Pogba shot an Alex Telles cross at the 34-year-old, who shot from the penalty area into the lower corner. It was the 413rd goal for the club and country in Cavani’s famous career and further proof that he could extend his stay beyond the end of the season.
This was Granada’s first visit to England, and her head coach Diego Martinez will have been encouraged by his team’s response to the early setback. Missing two presentable opportunities in quick succession, Yangel Herrera glanced at his header before it was also unmarked in the middle of the second half.
Paul Pogba was Manchester United captain in Thursday’s Europa League quarter-finals against Granada .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made five changes to the side who beat Tottenham 3-1 on Sunday. Axel Tuanzebe, Alex Telles and Nemanja Matic replaced the suspended Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay.
David de Gea came in for Dean Henderson, while Marcus Rashford was replaced on the starting line-up by Mason Greenwood.
Granada simply lacked quality in the final third, while United were delighted to play in first gear when Bruno Fernandes hit Nemanja Matic’s pass with a speculative volley that cleared the bar.
Until then had seen Pogba yellow for using a high arm against Granada’s captain German Sanchez – and the Frenchman may have been lucky enough not to be punished for a second bookable offense when he caught Herrera. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer held him on until break before retiring the captain for the night and replacing him with Donny van de Beek.
The Dutchman was a marginal figure for United this season, making only two Premier League starts . However, he wanted to impress in a relatively uneventful second phase. He almost extended his squad’s lead when the ball fell friendly on him from Mason Greenwood’s driveway, but Rui Silva’s drawn shot couldn’t disturb Rui Silva.
Cavani left on time, shortly after taking another look at Fernandes . David de Gea was just a spectator on the other end. That almost changed when Sanchez picked up Angel Montoro’s cross, but the veteran defender stretched his efforts.
Fernandes made way for the final 15 minutes as United confirmed his spot in the final four minutes with much to spare. De Gea had to save late to keep Victor Diaz’s long shot at bay and save his goal.
De Gea was not finished there when he suppressed another attempt by Herrera to counter-attack United when Telle crossed Juan Mata was accidentally thrown into his own net by Vallejo.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told BT Sport: « Granada gives you a game. It’s a physical game, they throw people forward. You have to get in defend games like this. But it’s good to win 2-0 and get clean. » Leaf, and there were some good individual performances. We look forward to Sunday [against Burnley] full of confidence. «
At halftime from Paul Pogba: » Sometimes Paul wants to win so much … he’s had a couple of tackles after being yellow carded but I thought I don’t want to risk [being sent off] though he played so well. We missed three today [by suspension]. The season was tough enough. «
About the game against Roma in the semi-finals: » I haven’t seen too many of them. I knew they played two good games against Roma. They defend well as Italian teams always do. We all know Edin Dzeko, so every ball in the box is « a dangerous one.
» We’re looking forward to it. We’re in the semifinals. It feels like a real European tie because Roma are a club with a lot of history. We did well against Italian teams before. We will hope to make it to the final. If we can end the season with a trophy that would be great. «
Regarding Marcus Rashford’s fitness: » We hope he’s ready. Today was about not risking it. He was on the bench just in case you never know if you were knocked out. He was playing with a sore foot. I don’t. « Remember it. »
« It was a good game. The Europa League is always difficult to play. It doesn’t matter who you play. We know that Granada is quality – they can do something «
» We did well. We controlled the game and had a lot of ball. We kept the ball moving. The result shows that. Now is the time to take the next step and win a semi-final . [Before] it is time to focus on the league. He [Edinson Cavani] is a real striker, a real number nine. «
On meeting Roma in the semi-finals: » Any team will give you problems They are well organized on the defensive, they can cause problems on the offensive. Some of their players have played in England. We know what we have to do. When we do that. » With the right things, we will have our chances of winning the game. «
Manchester United have won three knockout games in a row for the first time since April 2008 without competing in a major European competition, and the portrayal of Wan-Bissaka was instrumental in that determined portrayal.
Granada had put more effort on goal but the United right-back showed both sides of his game to frustrate visitors in their search for an unlikely turnaround, while also providing the hosts with an attack exit.
The 23- Year old is on the rise in England’s abundance of exciting right-backs, but Gareth Southgate is aware of his qualities. Wan-Bissaka made 10 recoveries, won eight of his duels and made three interceptions in a good display.
United have been in six since the turn of the year UEFA Europa League matches played five clean sheets, more than any other team in 2021.
Manc hester United returns to the Premier League on Super Sunday as Burnley makes a live appearance in the Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event at 4pm. Granada will host Eibar in the league next Thursday at 8 p.m.
The Europa League final will take place on Wednesday, May 26th in the Gdańsk Arena in Poland. The stadium was supposed to host the 2020 final, but after the tournament was delayed due to Covid-19, the flagship project took place in Cologne when Sevilla beat Inter 3-2.
Don’t miss your chance to win the £ 250,000 to land in the Super 6 round on Saturday. Play for free, entries by 12:30 p.m.
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