Quarter-final second leg preview: United v Granada

Wednesday 14 April 2021 09:00

Manchester United will be confident of progressing into the UEFA Europa League semi-finals when we host Granada on Thursday, with the Reds boasting a two-goal advantage from last week's first leg.

The Spanish side are ready for one of the biggest games in their history as they travel to Old Trafford in what is their first-ever European campaign.

Granada have beaten big sides to get to this stage but will need their most remarkable victory yet to come from behind against an in-form United side.

Ahead of the second leg of this quarter-final clash, here's everything you need to know about the match and Los Nazaries...

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Highlights: Granada 0 United 2

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HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?

UK-based supporters can watch the match live on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport Ultimate. Fans can also follow rolling updates straight from Old Trafford on ManUtd.com or via the Official App, where our Match Centre lets you track in-game data.

MUTV will provide build-up, live radio commentary and post-match reaction with coverage starting from 18:55 BST. A full rerun of the game will be shown at midnight.

TEAM NEWS

United are missing a number of players through both injury and suspension. After picking up yellow cards in Andalusia, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay are unavailable, as is club captain Harry Maguire.

Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic were also booked last Thursday and so will have to be cautious to avoid future absences.

As for injuries, Dan James missed Sunday's win against Spurs due to a knock sustained in midweek. Solskjaer will provide an update on his fitness in Wednesday's pre-match press conference which you can follow on MUTV, ManUtd.com or on our Official App from 13:00 BST.

Anthony Martial remains sidelined with a knee injury while Eric Bailly, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Monday, recently tested positive for COVID-19 and so may not make it back in time for this one. Juan Mata, who has not played since February, returned to the matchday squad on Sunday and so could be involved.

For Granada, we'll find out more from manager Diego Martinez on Wednesday evening, but both Domingos Duarte and Yan Eteki are suspended. Quini returned from injury on Sunday to score for the La Liga side but there are doubts over the fitness of Alberto Soro, Neydor Lozano and Luis Milla.

FORM GUIDE

After last week's first leg, both teams enjoyed away victories in their respective leagues.

United came from behind after a frustrating first half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Fred scored from a rebound to cancel out Son Heung-Min's opener before Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood gave United victory with a beautiful diving header and a powerful close-range drive, respectively. Three points in north London means United have lost just one of the last 18 games.

Granada, meanwhile, have endured difficult form in the last few weeks, trying to balance domestic and European commitments with a small squad that has played as many games this season as any other side, including 17 in the Europa League.

Like United, Granada played on Sunday afternoon and came from behind to win. Despite dominating early on, Granada went behind just before half-time when Fabián Orellana converted a penalty for Real Valladolid. Granada pushed in the second half and received just reward with two goals in the final quarter-of-an-hour. Veteran striker Jorge Molina equalised with a first-time left-footed shot before a wonderful strike from Quini gave Granada a significant victory.

THE MANAGER - Diego Martinez

Martinez has overseen Granada's rapid rise from the Segunda División to the top half of La Liga and the UEFA Europa League. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has praised Martinez for his ability to get the most out of his squad in terms of unbelievable character and spirit.

“They're very good at – and better than most  at the things that don't cost anything, Solskjaer said in last week's press conference.

“I think the value of team spirit, camaraderie and organisation is so important for a team.”

That is down to Martinez, who has drawn plaudits from across Spain for his work with the Andalusian side. Key to his success with Granada has been an ability to regularly change formations without upsetting the balance of the side.

Opposition guide: Granada

 Article

Find how the Spanish side made it to the quarter-finals and read about their 2020/21 season to date.

OPPOSITION KEY MEN

The heart of Granada's defence, centre-back Domingos Duarte, is ruled out through suspension. A physical player, Duarte kept tight to United's frontline in the first leg and has drawn interest from Premier League sides. In his absence, fellow Portuguese international Rui Silva will need a good performance between the sticks.

While Granada need to keep United out to have any chance of progressing, they also need to find three goals from somewhere. 35-year-old Roberto Soldado, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur, started the first leg but saw his two efforts go wide. Kenedy, the on-loan Chelsea winger, threatened more, forcing saves from De Gea with two finely-struck shots. On the other flank, we're likely to see Antonio Puertas or Darwin Machís in action.

THE OFFICIALS

Referee: István Kovács (ROU)
Assistants: Vasile Florin Marinescu & Ovidiu Artene (ROU)
Fourth Official: Sandro Schärer (SUI)
VAR: Bastian Dankert (GER)
Assistant VAR: Pawel Gil (POL)


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ELSEWHERE IN THE COMPETITION

Progress past Granada and United know our next opponents in the UEFA Europa League will be one of Ajax or Roma. The Italian side lead 2-1 from the first leg and now welcome Ajax to the Stadio Olimpico.

In the other half of the draw, Arsenal are still favourites to go through despite conceding a late equaliser in their home leg against Slavia Prague. Whoever comes out on top in that tie will face the winner of Villarreal vs Dinamo Zagreb. The Spanish side won the first leg 1-0 and are on a run of seven consecutive wins in Europe. They'll be confident of keeping Dinamo out and progressing into the semi-finals.

THURSDAY 15 APRIL

UNITED v Granada
Slavia Prague v Arsenal
Roma vs Ajax
Villarreal v Dinamo Zagreb

All games will kick-off at 20:00 BST.

POSSIBLE MATCH SCENARIOS

United hold a 2-0 lead going into the second leg. The only scenario which would lead to extra-time is a 2-0 win for Granada, who will go through if they win by any other two-goal margin.

United know they'll progress if they avoid defeat, but we would also secure a semi-final defeat if we lose by only one goal.

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