Granada 0-2 Manchester United result, goals, summary: Europa League 2020/21
Granada vs Manchester United: as it happened
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory at Granada in the Europa League quarter-final first leg to put their side in the driving seat. In a game where clear-cut chances were sparse, the highlight of a dull opening quarter came when a streaker somehow managed to find his way onto the pitch, despite crowds not being allowed to attend the match due to COVID-19 protocols.
Rashford's goal just past the half hour was the game's standout piece of quality. Victor Lindelof strode out of defence and his long ball was perfectly weighted into the path of the England forward, who controlled well before coolly finishing to put United ahead and notch up his 20th goal of the season in all competitions. Granada fought valiantly for a way back into the game, with Chelsea loanee Kenedy testing David de Gea from long-range before Yangel Herrera - on loan from Manchester City - hit the post with a volley. In a cagey second-half Fernandes, denied a second goal by a save by Portuguese countryman Rui Silva from close range late on, then netted a stoppage-time penalty after being felled by substitute Yan Brice Eteki.
The return leg is next Thursday at Old Trafford and the winners of the tie will face the victors in Ajax Amsterdam's clash with AS Roma in which the Italians hold a 2-1 lead from their first away leg which was also played on Thursday. (Report by Reuters)
It's all over! United win 2-0 and have two valuable away goals thanks to Rashford and Bernandes, who have now netted 15 of United's 23 goals in the competition. Granda have a very big task ahead of them now when they travel to Old Trafford.
FERNANDES SCORES THE PENALTY!
United's spot-kick specialist manages to put the ball in the bottom left corner. Silva got a hand to it and almost kept it out. But it slips through his fingers and United have their second away goal.
Penalty for United! Brice seems to have shoved Fernandes in the face as a Telles cross came in, though the ball was nowhere near them. He's also gone in the book for it.
James bursts into the box before playing a short pass to Fernandes on his outside shoulder. Fernandes' close-range shot is blocked by Silva.
Granada break quickly through Machis, who travels towards the box before taking a crack. His shot is deflected out for a corner, with which the hosts can do nothing. Time beginning to run out for them now.
Superb delivery from deep on the left from Telles towards Cavani, who fails to make contact by far edge of the six-yard area. He curses himself while applauding his team mate. He should have done better there.
Change for United: Pogba off; Matic on.
Two changes for Granada: Kenedy and Neva off; Foulquier and Machis on.
Maguire will miss next match! The United center-back goes in the book for a tug on the shirt of Soldado. And that means he will miss the return leg.
Granada coach Martinez applauds as his team build a bright attack, in which Neva finishes with a shot over the bar.
United bring on Cavani to add the impetus in attack that has so far been missing for the visitors in this second half. He replaces goalscorer Marcus Rashford.
United beginning to stamp some authority in this second half now.
Maguire shoots for United! A strange position to see the center back in, as he drives forward, skips around one challenge before launching a shot from 25 yards. But he's dragged it wide of the left post.
Duarte makes way for Germán Sanchez for Granada.
Granada putting on the pressure and already have their second corner of the second half. Montoro takes, and it's cleared out for a third. Montoro takes again, McTominay clears with his head but only to Kenedy, who takes a quick snap shot that forces De Gea to save. Decent effort from the edge of the area from the Brazilian, who hit the post just before the break.
Peep! The second half is underway!
United will make a half-time change as Alex Telles replace Luke Shaw.
The teams are back on the field and ready to start the second half.
There was a streaker before the game, which could be a first for a match played behind closed doors...
Rashford hits the magic 20
Rashford's 20th goal of the season was a special one. He made it look so easy, which was the beauty of it: take down a 40-yard pass at speed and under pressure, take one more touch and then slot the ball passed the keeper like he's not even there.
Ref blows for half-time!
Peep, peep! The first half ends with United one-nil up thanks to Rashford's goal on 30'. No major surprises with that scoreline at the break. Granada have been good though and have made plenty of chances, one of which came off the post a few minutes ago.
Granada hit the post! The free kick from Granada comes in and it's a superb first-time volley from Kenedy on the right side of the box, as De Gea manages to get a finger to it and the ball hits the near post.
Second yellow card for United as McTominay joins Pogba in the book. Those two will have to be careful.
Applause for Victor Diaz as he puts in a great cross from the left, but none of his team mates can get on the end of it.
RASHFORD SCORES FOR UNITED!
That was truly a thing of beauty. Lindelof, who spots the run of Rashford, plays a long ball deep inside his own half towards his team mate. Rashford takes a sublime first touch right by the edge of the area as a Granada defender chases behind, and then coolly slots the ball into the bottom right corner. 1-0 United and a precious away goal. Hats off to Lindelof for the pass and cool-as-you-like from Rashford.
Kenedy tries a volley from just inside United's box, but it sails over.
Rashford with the curling shot! And it's just over!
Rashford tries his luck from a very-long-distance free kick, but he drives well over. Wastes opportunity when a box delivery would have been a better option.
United enjoying possession and trying to build something but Granada are defending well.
Montoro takes the free kick and aims for Soldado left of the penatly spot. But a United head snuffs out the danger. Kenedy has got back on his feet in the meantime.
First booking comes early and its for Paul Pogba, for a very late sliding challenge on Kenedy. Granada now have a free-kick from an opportune area as Kenedy continues to receive attention after that crunching tackle.
Rashford brings the early danger for United as he glides into the box from the left before his shot is blocked at the source. Pogba has a pop from distance moments later, and his shot is also blocked down.
Granada are pressing high on United and not sitting back.
Peep! Match underway!
The teams are on the field and ready to go!
Teams warming up
Both teams are currently on the field and warming up for the game, which gets underway in 10 minutes...
Granada semi-final dreams
If Granada can reach the semi-finals, they will become the first side to so in their maiden European campaign since Villarreal in 2003-04 in the UEFA Cup.
Bruno Fernandes and Fred
Bruno Fernandes has netted 6 of United's 21 goals in the Europa League this season. Not many would bet against him netting another one tonight...
This Granada fan is ready for one of -- if not the -- biggest games in his team's history. Nice to see some scarf sellers still making some business even in the behind-closed doors era.
Granada fans gather outside the stadium
They may not be able to enter but the Granada fans have come down to Los Carmenes to cheer on their team. This is their first-ever European campaign and they're within touching distance of reaching the semi-final. It would be an incredible feat, slightly more incredible than beating United to get there..
Granada name their "Once"
Granada Starting XI: Rui Silva, Gonalons, Soldado, A. Puertas, C Neva, Victor Diaz, Montoro, Vallejo, Herrera, Domingos, Kenedy
Man United team sheet is in
Man Utd Starting XI: De Gea, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, Pogba, McTominay, Fernandes, Greenwood, James, Rashford.
Rashford was a doubt before the game but the Englishman starts. Solksjaer almost able to name a full strength XI, although the injured Anthony Martial will be missed.
Granada's incredible rise
Granada's incredible rise from regional fourth tier to the Europe in just 15 years, as described by The Spanish Football Podcast presenter, Phil Kirtomilides...
Road to the quarter final
United have already seen off Spanish opposition in this year’s knock-out phase with a 4-0 aggregate victory over Real Sociedad in the round of 32, before coming through a sterner test against fellow European greats AC Milan in the last 16, whom they beat 2-1 on aggregate .
Solskjaer’s men will be hotly tipped to beat the European new boys. While Granada’s achievement of reaching the last eight in their first attempt in Europe is commendable, they have yet to face opposition in the vane of the Red Devils, who are the firm favorites for this year’s Europa League title. Although the Spanish outfit did take quite a prized scalp in Napoli at the round of 32.
United's quest for first title under OGS
Manchester United continue their quest for their first title under coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when they face Granada in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final.
United fell to Granada’s Andalusian neighbors Sevilla in the semi-final of the competition last season, and this time are keen to go all the way to the final for the first time since 2017, where they beat Ajax 2-0 to lift the trophy under Jose Mourinho. Granada, meanwhile, are looking towards the tremendous feat of reaching the last four in their first-ever European campaign.
Hello and welcome
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Europa League quarter final first leg tie between Granada and Manchester United. The match gets underway in an hour and in the meantime you can follow the pre-amble with us here. Team news to follow shortly.