MATCH PREVIEW: Manchester United vs. Granada (Europa League)

Intro: Manchester United vs. Granada

With a comfortable two-goal-away lead, Manchester United welcome Granada to Old Trafford for the second leg in the Europa League. All Manchester United need to do to advance is not give up three goals.

Match Build Up

Manchester United won the first leg of a European tie away from home for the 22nd time. United have progressed from all 21 of their previous such ties.

Granada will be the 11th different Spanish side to play away to Manchester United in European competition. Spanish sides have lost on just one of their last 10 visits (W4 D5) to Old Trafford (Manchester United 1-0 Real Sociedad in October 2013).

Since winning seven consecutive home matches in European competition, Manchester United are currently winless in three (D2 L1). This is their longest run since October 2018 (three games); they have never gone four such matches without a win.

Since 2009 only one has side progressed from a knockout tie having lost the first leg by at least two goals at home. Sevilla versus Real Betis in 2013-14 (Sevilla lost 2-0 at home, won 0-2 away and progressed via penalties).

Marcus Rashford has scored eight goals in 10 matches in European competition this season – excluding qualifiers. The most by a Manchester United player since Cristiano Ronaldo (eight goals) in 2007-08. The last player to net more was Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2002-03 (12).

Manchester United Team News

Manchester United trio Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire all picked up bookings in the first-leg victory. The trio are unavailable for the second leg to add to Solskjaer’s growing absentee list.

Eric Bailly remains sidelined with Coronavirus, while Anthony Martial and Phil Jones are out for the long-term. It remains to be seen if Daniel James will be cleared to play after an injury in Spain ruled him out of the win over Tottenham.

Axel Tuanzebe and Alex Telles will likely deputize in the rearguard for Maguire and Shaw, while a possible recall for Nemanja Matic in midfield could push Paul Pogba out to the left flank once again. Marcus Rashford will likely be rested due to a foot problem.

Manchester United possible starting lineup:

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Tuanzebe, Telles; Fred, Matic; Greenwood, Fernandes, Pogba; Cavani

mm
About Vince Rosetta 216 Articles
A life long Manchester United fan based in the US.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*