Manchester United host Granada in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday, with a 2-0 lead from the first game last week.
The Reds won the victory in Spain thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes in a game that they largely controlled, as the La Liga side swept aside the quality of Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s outfit.
Both sides picked up big wins at home on the weekend to get into the game in a good mood, but with injuries and suspensions kicking in for the home team, can an upset be on the cards? Here is a 90 min preview of the game.
We vaccinated for it?
Same mentality in the second stage, boys!
? #MUFC? #UEL pic.twitter.com/P7nuukY9gd
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 8, 2021
When is the match? Thursday 15 AprilWhat time is running? 20:00 (BST)Where is it played? Old TraffordTV channel? BT Sport 2 (UK)Judge? Istvan Kovacs (ROU)WHERE? Bastian Dankert (GER)
The Reds will be without three starters from the first stage with Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay all suspended after receiving yellow cards. This means that Nemanja Matic and Alex Telles will probably start, while Axel Tuanzebe should get the nod before Eric Bailly after his attack on COVID-19.
Rashford was able to rest to recover from ankle and shoulder problems he has been dealing with, while Dan James is expected to be fit enough to return after missing this weekend’s win at Tottenham.
Start the adventure for the royal expedition! ✈️? #UEL #MANGRA pic.twitter.com/7Ptk05ywrD
– Granada CF ❤️⚪️ (@GranadaCdeF) April 14, 2021
The Spanish side have two own suspensions with Domingos Duarte and Yan Eteki both missing in the second stage. This means that German Sanchez should start in central defense in an otherwise unchanged line-up.
Luis Milla and Neyder Lozano are both still out injured and will miss the game.
Manchester United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Lindelof, Telles; Matic, Fred; Mata, Fernandes, James; Greenwood.
Granada: Silva; Diaz, Sanchez, Vallejo, Neva; Herrera, Gonalons; Puertas, Montoro, Kenedy; Soldier.
Manchester United
Tottenham 1-3 Manchester United – Premier League (11/4) Granada 0-2 Manchester United – Europa League (8/4)Manchester United 2-1 Brighton – Premier League (4/4) Leicester 3-1 Manchester United – FA Cup (21/3) AC Milan 0-1 Manchester United – Europa League (18/3)
Greenwood scored from the bench against Tottenham | ADRIAN DENNIS / Getty Images
Granada
Real Valladolid 1-2 Granada – The League (11/4)Granada 0-2 Manchester United – Europa League (8/4)Granada 0-3 Villarreal – La Liga (3/4) Valencia 2-1 Granada – La Liga (21/3) Molde 2-1 Granada – Europa League (18/3)
A monumental upset is what is necessary in this second stage if Manchester United are to lose the competition, but it seems very unlikely that it will happen.
Solskjaer’s side is flying right now and coming from his best performance of the season against Spurs and while Granada is likely to come out all the guns blazing against a United team weakened by suspensions, it will not be enough.
It should be done from the first stage | Soccrates Images / Getty Images
United have too much quality and will be able to control the ball during large parts of the game while creating their own chances. Granada must come out and look for goals and that only leads to more chances for United to put the game out of reach.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Granada
