As days go, Manchester United and their extended family have certainly had worse. A few hours after three of Sir Alex Ferguson’s horses had triumphed on Merseyside, his old team came out on top in a challenging race in Andalusia.
United have one foot in the semi-finals of the Europa League after a deserved win over European debutants Granada.
Victor Lindelof and Marcus Rashford were the architects of this victory. To describe the way in which the former set up the latter with a 60-yard pass as an example of “route-one football” for the opener would be unfair. This was a masterclass in vision and precision from Lindelof.
Rashford brought pace and grace, softly cushioning the ball as it came over his right shoulder before beating the goalkeeper. It was almost an exact replica of the goal that the two served up in the win over Sheffield United last season. Lindelof has had his critics but last night he performed with conviction and authority.
“The goal was exceptional,” Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the United manager, said. “We have seen it a few times before. It was a fantastic piece of skill for Marcus to take the ball down like that.”
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Bruno Fernandes added a late penalty that will no doubt have pleased Ferguson watching at home after seeing his horses rule the roost at Aintree.
Less happy, however, will be Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay, who will now miss next week’s second leg after being booked. But with two away goals in the bag, United are well placed to advance to a semi-final against Ajax or Roma.
That Rashford was carrying ankle and shoulder injuries made his performance even more impressive. Last night he became the first United player to score 20-plus goals in consecutive seasons since Wayne Rooney did so 11 years ago.
With Covid-19 cases still high in Andalusia, fans were not allowed into the stadium but there was no chance of the authorities stopping hundreds of supporters gathering outside the Estadio de Los Cármenes before kick-off.
Twelve years ago Granada were on the verge of bankruptcy. In 2006, they were in Spain’s fourth tier. A meeting against a European giant such as United was reason to celebrate.
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One of the fans outside the ground came dressed as the Pope and blessed the Granada players on his megaphone as they arrived. The United bus, meanwhile, received an unholy welcome. “Who are Manchester?” the locals chanted, one of them angrily waving his crutch in the air.
A streaker provided the only entertainment in the opening stages as United struggled to penetrate Granada’s rigid defence. David De Gea had little to do as the home side showed no desire to attack.
Initially, Solskjaer’s decision to select Rashford looked unwise. The forward grimaced on an early run and then attempted a Cristiano Ronaldo-esque dipping free kick, but without the dip.
Solskjaer sat in his dugout, arms folded, wearing a troubled expression. Fernandes was not much happier. The Portuguese was becoming annoyed by a lack of service so dropped deep, leaving Mason Greenwood isolated up top.
However, the smile returned to Solskjaer’s face on the half-hour mark. Having failed to pass through Granada, United opted for a different tactic, Lindelof striding forward unchallenged after receiving the ball from De Gea and launching a 60-yard pass over the back four for Rashford, who had run in behind the sleeping Domingos Duarte and Victor Díaz. The striker was 20 yards from goal, running at pace and still had a lot of work to do — but he was wheeling away moments later after a sumptuous touch and crafty finish.
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Granada improved towards the end of the first half. Yangel Herrera struck the outside of the post after a quick free kick. McTominay and Shaw were then booked for fouls on Antonio Puertas.
Solskjaer replaced Shaw with Alex Telles after the interval in what was becoming a physical game. De Gea held his nerve to collect a swerving 20-yard shot from Kenedy.
Duarte came off after his right knee ballooned after a late tackle on Daniel James. Edinson Cavani came on with 25 minutes left to give Rashford a well-deserved breather. Then Maguire was booked for pulling Roberto Soldado’s shirt. It was all getting a bit scrappy.
As the game moved into stoppage time, Artur Dias concluded that Yan Brice had pushed Fernandes in the face in the box as they awaited a cross. Granada complained it was a soft penalty but Dias and the VAR disagreed. So did the United bench.
“Mick Phelan [United’s assistant manager] said Bruno took one in the face and it was a clear penalty,” Solskjaer said.
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Fernandes made no mistake from the spot, despite Rui Silva managing to get a hand to it. “Bruno’s eye was red and to score with just one eye open is also a skill,” Solskjaer said.
Granada (4-2-3-1): R Silva 6 — V Díaz 5, J Vallejo 6, D Duarte 5 (G Sánchez 54min, 6), C Neva 6 (D Foulquier 74) — Y Herrera 7, M Gonalons 6 (Y Brice 86) — Kenedy 7 (D Machís 74), A Montoro 6, A Puertas 7 — R Soldado 6 (L Suárez Charris 86). Booked Duarte, Brice.
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): D De Gea 7 — A Wan Bissaka 7, V Lindelof 8, H Maguire 7, L Shaw 6 (A Telles 45, 6) — S McTominay 7, P Pogba 6 (N Matic 73) — D James 7, B Fernandes 7, M Rashford 8 (E Cavani 65, 6) — M Greenwood 6 (D van de Beek 85). Booked Pogba, McTominay, Shaw, Maguire, Matic.
Referee A Dias (Portugal).
