United Briefing: Let's finish the job!

Thursday 15 April 2021 08:00

Mason Greenwood says he and his Manchester United team-mates cannot afford to relax, despite the Reds' two-goal advantage heading into tonight's UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg against Granada.

Goals from Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes helped us edge our noses in front in Andalusia last Thursday, but 90 minutes still stand between the Reds and a potential last-four meeting with Ajax or Roma.

Greenwood admits that United are feeling “comfortable” ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford, but he and his colleagues know another professional performance is needed.
Highlights: Granada 0 United 2 Video

Highlights: Granada 0 United 2

Watch Rashford's sublime opener and the Fernandes penalty that has put us in pole position against Granada...

“To get a 2-0 lead, it's given us a big boost but not an easier chance,” admitted Mason. “You never know what they can do in the second leg really, but it's given us a bit of comfort.

“But we can't relax on it in this next game. We've got to go out and finish the job to get through to the semis.

“We're going out to win the match; all the players are ready. We've done our preparation and I'm sure we'll be ready to go.”
Greenwood is enjoying arguably his best run of form so far this season, having scored three goals in his last four appearances and delivered a match-turning cameo in Sunday's memorable 3-1 success at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Academy-reared forward came off the bench in the 72nd minute, with the match against Jose Mourinho's side locked at 1-1, but swung the contest in United's favour with an assist for Edinson Cavani and a goal of his own.

“I was very happy [after the game],” Greenwood reflected. “Obviously you've got to be ready when you're on the bench. You never know when you can come on and that's what I was waiting for. I got told to come on and just wanted to go out there and do the best I could and, obviously, I provided two goals with an assist and a goal, and I was very proud of that.”
90 in 20: Tottenham 1 United 3 Video

90 in 20: Tottenham 1 United 3

You don't want to miss the extended highlights of Sunday's 3-1 comeback victory at Tottenham...

The youngster admitted his manager's influence was running through his head before he entered the field at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

“Ole has told the story many times [about being a substitute] and I've watched it [the 1999 Champions League final] so I can never, ever forget that! He [Ole] was always ready, he always told me. We got told about it in the youth team, and I'm sure they still talk about it to this day.”

After three semi-final setbacks last term, Greenwood is determined to help the Reds finish the season strongly, as we go in search of a first piece of silverware since 2017.

“I'm feeling ready to go,” said our no.11. “We've all been mentally prepared and physically as well, so all the lads are ready for the final push.

“I'd love to win silverware. I've been dreaming of that for a long time, since being a kid at United. To win some silverware and to bring it back to United would be a good feeling.”
WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY?

We'll aim to seal our place in the semi-finals of the Europa League, by pressing home our 2-0 advantage from the first leg against Granada. The match kicks off at 20:00 BST and UK-based supporters can watch the match live on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport Ultimate.

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. Fans can also follow rolling updates straight from Old Trafford on ManUtd.com or via the Official App.
Tricks in training! Video

Tricks in training!

Look out for the nutmeg from Cavani on an unsuspecting Red in Wednesday’s training video…

WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer conducted his traditional pre-match press conference ahead of the Granada game, where he spoke about our potential starting XI, Axel Tuanzebe and Jesse Lingard, among other things. We also revealed that Academy defender Will Fish has been added to our Europa League squad.

Elsewhere, yesterday marked the anniversary of our famous 2-1 win over Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final replay of 1999. Relive the story of that fantastic match – and Ryan Giggs's seminal goal – by reading the story of the game and/or watching the highlights.

Big news from Wednesday: