Edinson Cavani clinched the tie for Manchester United, who reached the UEFA Europa League semi-finals after beating Granada 2-0 on Thursday.
Manchester United were hot off the gates and were up and running just six minutes in as Edinson Cavani scored from close range after Paul Pogba had headed Alex Telles’ cross towards him. Thereafter, the Red Devils went into cruise control mode, with the tie pretty much won, although Granada did look to take the game to them, without much in way of end product.
The hosts picked up a little post the interval, with Mason Greenwood and Cavani being set up with fine chances from Donny van de Beek and Bruno Fernandes, respectively, only for them both to fluff their lines. Granada did threaten late on with a couple of dangerous efforts before Manchester United rounded off the win in the final minute of regulation time.
Telles was involved again as his dangerous cross was turned into his own net by Jesus Vallejo. The 2-0 win meant that Manchester United are comfortably through to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals where they will face AS Roma. Following a comfortable quarter-final triumph, The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.
David de Gea: 7/10
Back in the starting lineup in place of Dean Henderson, de Gea barely had any glove work to do, with Manchester United firmly in control of the game. Did reasonably well with the ball on his feet, keeping things simple with his goal-kicks. The Spaniard was forced into a couple of big saves late on and he pulled those off without much of a fuss and will be glad to have kept a clean sheet.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 7/10
Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s game by numbers vs. Granada:
87% pass accuracy
10 ball recoveries
8 duels won
4/5 tackles won
3 interceptions
2 attempted take-ons
2 successful take-ons
2 clearances
1 chance createdSolid shift. ? pic.twitter.com/uz3MkVOKfe
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 15, 2021
A game of two halves for Wan-Bissaka, as ever. While in the defensive phase, there really was no troubling the Manchester United right-back, he once again failed to carry the threat going down the right flank, although there was one dangerous cross sent into the Granada box in the second half before he was withdrawn for Brandon Williams. Made a staggering 10 recoveries as well in typical fashion.
Axel Tuanzebe: 7/10
With Manchester United captain Harry Maguire suspended, Tuanzebe got the opportunity to make a rare start at the back. Aided Victor Lindelof ably to keep the Granada attackers at bay and made a fine block in the second half to help preserve the clean sheet for Manchester United. His overall numbers were quite impressive as well – 4 duels won, 3 clearances, 3 blocks, 2 interceptions
Axel Tuanzebe’s game by numbers vs. Granada:
93% pass accuracy
54 accurate passes
4 ball recoveries
4 duels won
3 long passes completed
3 clearances
2 interceptionsStrong display. ? pic.twitter.com/R8yz1yIYNT
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 15, 2021
Victor Lindelof: 7/10
With Maguire unavailable, Lindelof took on the mantle of being the leader at the back for the Red Devils. The Swede did exceedingly well in the role, organising the backline smartly to keep out the danger in solid fashion. Made a joint-game-high 6 clearances while winning a couple of duels. Extremely precise on the ball, Lindelof ensured efficient build-up with his 94 percent passing rate.
Alex Telles: 8/10
Instrumental in the build-up to the goal scored by Edinson Cavani, as it was his cross that was nodded towards the Uruguayan before he found the back of the net. Thereafter, he looked to push Manchester United forward, doing so reasonably well and late on, he sent in the cross that was converted into an own goal by Jesus Vallejo. Not put under pressure at the back.
Fred: 6/10
A solid customer in the middle of the park, Fred combined well with Nemanja Matic in the double pivot, with the duo also seeing the ball more than any other player on the pitch. Won 6 duels while completing 4 interceptions and 3 tackles. However, his rating gets docked a little due to some sloppy touches on the ball, which handed Granada the initiative on a few occasions.
Nemanja Matic: 7/10
Back in the starting lineup owing to McTominay’s suspension, Matic was solid in midfield, nipping several Granada moves in the bud while recycling possession smartly. Harried his opponents superbly, which meant that the Manchester United defenders were never really put under a lot of pressure. Won 6 duels while completing 3 interceptions and 2 tackles.
Mason Greenwood: 6/10
With Cavani leading the line for Manchester United, Greenwood started out on the right flank and flitted in and out of the proceedings. Look to drift infield when given the chance and on one such occasion, he was set up by Donny van de Beek, but he directed an open header tamely towards Rui Silva.
Bruno Fernandes: 7/10
With the tie sealed early on, Bruno Fernandes did not exert himself as much as usually does, although he still looked to carve out the openings whenever possible. The best chance he created was for Cavani in the second half, which the veteran striker could not convert. It’s a wonder how he can look tireless at times despite the sheer volume of games he plays. Taken off for Juan Mata.
Paul Pogba: 7/10
Paul Pogba in the first half vs. Granada [pitch rank]:
• 10 duels won [1st]
• 7 ball recoveries [2nd]
• 3 dribbles completed [1st]
• 3 chances created [1st]Leading by example. ? pic.twitter.com/3D2eqiZ9CR
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 15, 2021
Donning the armband for Manchester United in the absence of Maguire, Pogba did some clever work to head Telles’ cross towards an open Cavani inside the Granada box early on. Looked at home in the left wing berth once again, and has grown into the role well. Played a team-high 2 key passes despite being taken off at half-time for a well-deserved breather.
Edinson Cavani: 8/10
Cavani made a fine start to the game, as he met Pogba’s brilliant knock back to hand Manchester United the lead early on, that being his first European goal for the Red Devils. Did not get too many opportunities thereafter, although he should have buried the chance created by Bruno Fernandes in the second half before being taken off for Daniel James. Held the ball up well otherwise.
?? Edinson Cavani is the first Uruguayan player to reach 50 goals in UEFA competitions (87th appearance)
He’s the fourth South American player to this milestone after Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero & Alfredo Di Stefano #UEL pic.twitter.com/VyztpWfIAe
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) April 15, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Donny van de Beek: 7/10
On for Pogba at half-time, van de Beek was purposeful in his display even though the tie was already won. The Dutchman, in fact, set up a fine chance for Greenwood, which ought to have been converted really by the English international. Came close to scoring with an effort from just outside the Granada box. Will hope for more minutes in the coming games.
Daniel James: 6/10
Sent on in place of Cavani, James ran his socks off, although there was very little in way of end product from the Welshman. Did complete each of his 8 attempted passes, though.
Juan Mata: 6/10
Did not see a lot of the ball after replacing Bruno Fernandes, as Manchester United saw the game out without much of a fuss, although he was involved in the build-up to the second goal.
Amad Diallo: N/A
On for Greenwood, Amad did not have enough time to showcase his best abilities.
Brandon Williams: N/A
A late introduction, Williams helped see the game out.
