United are looking to end this season by lifting some silverware. The jury is still out on the head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. As such, winning a trophy will help him win over the remainder of the fanbase. Standing between them and a potential UEFA Europa League win are surprise package, Granada.
Granada are enjoying an extremely successful debut campaign in Europe. Diego Martinez’s team has gone from strength to strength in recent years and confirmed its place among the European elite by finishing seventh in Spain last season. They have fallen behind in the race for Europe domestically this campaign but can still do so by virtue of an unthinkable Europa League win.
Manchester United dispatched a resurgent AC Milan in the previous round to book their place in the quarter-finals. The Red Devils drew their first leg 1-1 with the Rossoneri as teenager Amad Diallo netted his first for the club. However, a late header from Simon Kjaer meant that the tie was in the balance before the second leg.
When United needed a hero, Paul Pogba stepped up. The Frenchman scored the only goal of the game in the return leg to earn his team a narrow 2-1 aggregate win. They had beaten Real Sociedad one round before by an aggregate scoreline of 4-0.
On the other hand, Granada recorded the surprise result of the competition when they eliminated Napoli in the round-of-32. They beat the Italian giants 2-0 in the first leg, courtesy of quick-fire goals from Manchester City and Chelsea loanees – Yangel Herrera and Kenedy, respectively. Martinez’s men lost the return fixture 2-1 but won the overall tie 3-2 on aggregate.
A somewhat easier opponent awaited the debutants in the round-of-16, as Granada came up against Molde. The La Liga outfit won their second successive knockout tie by the same aggregate scoreline and in the same manner. They beat Molde 2-0 in the first leg, lost 2-1 in the second leg, and won the overall tie 3-2. Former Tottenham player Roberto Soldado proved to be key for them, as he scored twice over the two legs.
Key Players
Roberto Soldado: Unfortunately for Soldado, he is best remembered for a failed stint at Spurs. While he was unable to do his reputation any favours in England, he has found consistent form while playing in Spain. Soldado is often the leading man in Martinez’s set-up, and the onus will be on him to test the United defence. Three of his 11 goals this season have come in the Europa League – a tally he will hope to add to.
Yangel Herrera: He may never get a chance to play for Manchester City, but Herrera has impressed while on loan at Granada. The 23-year-old midfielder is their top scorer in European competitions this season and scored in their win over Napoli. He is often deployed behind Martinez’s main striker and looks to take up dangerous positions from where he can affect play. Caging him in would make United’s task much easier.
Bruno Fernandes: The Portugal international has made a huge impact since signing for Manchester United. The attacking midfielder arrived from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 and has easily been United’s best player since. Fernandes has scored 23 goals this season and provided 14 assists. Almost a third of the Red Devils’ European goals the midfielder has scored this campaign.
Marcus Rashford: While Fernandes has netted six times for United in European competitions this season, Rashford has gone one better. His tally of seven this season means that he is United’s top European scorer and has scored a third of his team’s goals. Rashford’s pace is frightening, and his finishing skills keep improving each passing year.
Prediction
European debutantes Granda have surprised teams so far this season. They did face a relatively easier run of fixtures until this point, but their win over Napoli was the highlight of their season. The Spanish side is bound to miss out on European qualification for next season through the domestic route. As such, they must focus all of their resources towards the Europa League if they want to enjoy a second straight season playing across the continent.
Nevertheless, Manchester United should win this match comfortably. The Red Devils have one of the strongest squads out of those left in the competition. Furthermore, they have the form on their side too.
