An Edinson Cavani strike and a Jesus Vallejo own goal gave Manchester United a comfortable 2-0 win over Granada on Thursday night, securing the Red Devils’ place in the Europa League semi-final with a combined score of 4-0 against their Spanish opposition.
The hosts wasted no time in venturing forward and grabbed the opener in just six minutes. Paul Pogba nodded excellently Alex Telles into Cavani, who clinically swept the ball into the lower corner of the volley.
A first European goal in Manchester United colors for Edinson Cavani! ?
You just can not give Uruguay space so!
A cracking finish! ? #UEL pic.twitter.com/XhPpfY2jK9
– Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 15, 2021
The windy start to the game was not a precursor to the ensuing action, but United managed to score a second goal in the last minute of 90, when another Telles cross was turned into their own net by Vallejo.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side stayed comfortable enough to see the 2-0 win in the evening and booked their place in the Europa League last four. Now let’s see how the red devils ranked.
Aaron Wan Bissaka Blocks Angel Montoro Cross | OLI SCARFF / Getty Images
David De Gea (GK) – 6/10 – Looked comfortable when he was called to action but hardly worked all the time.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB) – 7/10 – Quite careless on the ball, gives away possession cheaply on several occasions but was fantastically defensive and made eight ball recoveries.
Axel Tuanzebe (CB) – 6/10 – Was physically impressive all the time, and despite giving a couple of chances with a certain dubious mark, he was mostly solid and made five interventions.
Victor Lindelof (CB) – 7/10 – Kept an even head in the heart of the United Defense and showed great positional knowledge to make six distances.
Alex Telles (LB) – 7/10 – Slightly loose defensively, did not replicate Wan-Bissaka’s intensity when he closed down and put in one foot, but made an impact on the forefoot, got the assistance to assist the opener and put in the cross that forced the other.
Bruno Fernandes fights Dimitri Foulquier | Stu Forster / Getty Images
Nemanja Matic (CM) – 6/10 – Fixed enough as his rear lighthouse screen, making five ball recoveries, and mostly things kept simple with the ball to keep his side moving. Fred (CM) – 6/10 – Offered bite and industry in midfield, which constantly provides an option for teammates and is buttoned away on resistance heels. For all his possessions, however, he could not find a passport to break through Granada’s lines.
Bruno Fernandes (AM) – 6/10 – Usually hard working and had a lot of fun finding holes between the lines. However, could not find a front edge with his two key passes. Maybe he has done better with his shooting opportunities as well, which turns three efforts outside the goal.
What a start. What a conclusion. What a man.
? @ECavaniOfficial? #MUFC? #UEL pic.twitter.com/V8UXyImfHD
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 15, 2021
Mason Greenwood (RW) – 6/10 – Made some really promising darts behind and showed good movement all the time but did not really have much service. However, the chance to convert a free headform went around eight yards in 50 minutes, though.
Edinson Cavani (ST) – 7/10 – Found himself quite deep sometimes and tried to connect games and get movements started. Also showed his typical poachers move in the final third and found the perfect spot to make it 1-0.
Paul Pogba (LW) – 8/10 – Efficient, progressive and strong on the ball, often running from deep to give Granada’s back line real problems – especially securing a wonderful assist to the opener – while putting in a big defensive shift with five tackles. Despite another influential performance, he was taken off at the break to avoid suspension.
Let’s end this, #MUFC! ?
? @ Donny_Beek6 replaced @PaulPogba during the break.
? #UEL
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 15, 2021
Donny van de Beek (AM) – 6/10 – Managed to get on the ball in good areas and should have got an assist for the chance Greenwood failed to convert. Again, however, failed to influence.
Daniel James (LW) – 6/10
Juan Mata (RW) – 6/10
Brandon Williams (RB) – 6/10
Amad Diallo (ST) – 6/10
