Manchester United took the initiative in their Europa League quarter final tie against Granada with a 2-0 win in Spain thanks to Marcus Rashford’s first half strike and Bruno Fernandes’ late penalty.
The Man United academy graduate scored his eighth goal in Europe this season and Fernandes’ clincher meant Granada have lost four consecutive matches in all competition, while Man United ended their poor run of no win in the first leg of their last three two-legged quarter final matches in Europe.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer started with David De Gea in goal and Rashford passed a fitness test to also feature from the start, while Granada had former Tottenham striker Roberto Soldado leading their attack.
Rashfrod was the first go have an opportunity but hit his free kick wide before making amends just after the half hour mark. The speedster controlled Victor Lindelof’s long ball forward at full speed before slotting home his 20th goal of the season in all competitions to give Man United a 1-0 lead.
Granada who are ninth in La Liga threatened through Kennedy, Herrera and Soldado but United held firm to retain their lead at halftime.
In their maiden European campaign, Granada confidently went about Man United but with little success. The red devils however showed their European pedigree with the clincher on 89 minutes, Fernandes winning a penalty and scoring to hand Man United a two-goal advantage going into the second leg at Old Trafford next week Thursday.
Arsenal however conceded a last-gasp leveler to draw 1-1 against Slavia Prague at the Emirates stadium in London to make next week’s second leg in Prague a must-win affair.
The Gunners squandered several premium opportunities, including Alexandre Lacazette hitting the post when one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The French striker also hit the woodwork in the second half while Willian did same in the first period.
The Czech League champions who have eliminated British clubs Leicester City and Rangers looked to frustrate the Gunners but Mikael Arteta’s side eventually breached their sturdy defence through Nicolas Pepe in the 86th minute. Substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set up the Ivorian winger to dink the ball over an advancing Slavia goalkeeper.
The North London side however failed to close out the match and a last minute corner kick was nodded in at the far post by Tomas Holes.
RESULTS
Arsenal 1-1 Slavia Prague
Dinamo Zagreb 0-1 Villareal
Ajax 1-2 Roma
Granada 0-2 Manchester United
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