Granada v Manchester United – Live blog: pre-match build, text commentary and more

Stretty News Live Blog
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21:54 Great win Reds! Thanks for joining us tonight.

See you Sunday for the big game against Tottenham.

Make sure to follow @StrettyNews on Twitter.

21:50 Full-time: Granada 0-2 Manchester United

That’s it for tonight folks! United are sitting pretty to advance to the semi-finals of the Europa League again.

It was comfortable result for United and we should be okay to qualify for the next round.

Fernandes won the game with his first goal in 8 games for the club. It was only a matter of time before he scored again.

Worth noting that Shaw, McTominay and Maguire will all miss the second leg after receiving yellow cards tonight.

21:49 GOAL! Bruno Fernandes from the spot with what looks like a bruised eye.

Back on the scoresheet! Should book our place in the semi-finals! Good job.

21:48 PENALTY!

Chance to double our lead at the very end. A chance to take a two goal advantage back to Old Trafford.

Fernandes fouled inside the box.

21:46 Luis Suarez coming on for Granada.

No, not him. The Colombian one.

Reckon he’s a nicer guy. Just my opinion.

21:45 Update: Ajax 1-2 Roma

Roma come from behind to take the lead.

21:44 Sub: Van de Beek replaces Greenwood.

Some minutes for the Dutchman… 👀

21:43 Commentator says “best chance we’ve had in some time”

Hmm, not really. Bruno Fernandes offside – keeper stopped him in a one-on-one scenario.

21:40 I will probably vomit on my lap if they equalise in the final 10 minutes.

It would be so typical. Please no.

21:36 Granada haven’t offered much other than…

21:33 Sub: Matic replaces Pogba

Both teams are misplacing passes and it seems like tactics have gone out the window.

It’s turned into an end-to-end affair and Solskjaer has looked to his bench to sure things up.

Nemanja Matic replaces Paul Pogba.

21:30 Maguire booked!

Shaw, McTominay and now Maguire will miss the second leg at Old Trafford.

21:29 Granada finding their groove and Diego Martinez knows it.

Credit to United’s defence for getting back in there. Time to defend a corner!

21:27 Second heavy touch from Fernandes in the space of 2 minutes.

Bruno Fernandes has not scored for United since his penalty against Man City.

A second away goal should be enough to see us qualify for the semi-finals.

21:24 Sub: Cavani replaces Rashford.

21:21 Over an hour played and the Reds still lead 1-0.

The second-half has been comfortable for United, but there’s no room for complacency and a second goal is needed.

It would be a good time to grab a second.

I think everyone wants to see Anthony Elanga get some minutes under his belt tonight.

21:17 Update: Ajax 1-1 AS Roma

A Davy Klaassen opener for Ajax has been cancelled out by a Dusan Tadic own goal.

Both ex-Premier League players.

21:13 Maguire shows nimble feet to win a free-kick.

It’s in a dangerous position, too. Lionel Messi eat your heart out.

21:12 Granada player hurts himself fouling James

*Cough*

He went in to take James to the cleaners. The Welshman is now up and walking.

21:07 Granada getting away with foul after foul – this one leaves Maguire floored

It really is no wonder Ole took Shaw off. Couldn’t risk it even though the left-back misses next week’s second leg through suspension.

21:04 Sub: Telles on for Shaw

20:55 First-half reactions from our readers

We asked you what you thought about the first-half and here were the responses:

20:48 HALF-TIME: Granada 0-1 Manchester United

A very important goal from Rashford separates the two teams.

It’s been a better game since the goal and Granada will be happy with their performance in the first 45 minutes.

Still more to do but advantage us!

20:46 Two minutes added on

20:44 HIGHLIGHT: Rashford opens the scoring

Rashford has scored 8 goals in 10 European appearances this season.

20:43 Luke Shaw booked

20:42 Lindelof doing Lindelof things

Shameless plug? Oh go on then!

20:38 Shivers down my spine every time Rashford gets fouled

Granada are not idiots. Each player is aware of Rashford’s fitness situation and they will be doing all they can to ensure he won’t be available for the second leg.

That’s where protection from the referee comes into play. Let’s batter than with 20 minutes to play and give Anthony Elanga some game time.

*Wishful thinking*

20:35 Looks like we are going from second gear to top gear!

Can the Reds score a second goal before half-time?

20:33 Route one

Great run by Rashford and he took his goal very well.

Solskjaer looked thrilled on the touchline because his team reacted quickly and Granada were caught sleeping.

Inexcusable defending at this level.

20:31 GOAL! Rashford makes it 1-0 on the half hour mark.

20:27 Rashford goes for goal – not far away!

Cheeky effort sent over the bar. If only the ball dipped more…

It would be nice to see us play with higher intensity because we have got a far superior side than Granada. Why make life harder on ourselves by allowing them in the game for longer?

20:25 Frustrating first 25 minutes

Granada are pressing United, refusing to give us a second on the ball once we reach the final third.

Pogba or Fernandes will have to come up with something. There’s more than enough pace up front.

20:22 Granada not afraid to attack in numbers but United are growing into the game

20:15 United corner

20:10 Stretty News reporter explains why the referee had to stop play

20:09 Paul Pogba booked

No complaints over that one.

20:08 WE HAVE A STREAKER! I think he was naked…

Put it away, mate! I don’t need to see that when I haven’t fully digested my pizza from an hour ago.

20:06 High tempo start. Granada are trying to put us under pressure early

Our quality should tell soon.

20:00 KICK-OFF! The game underway with United in possession.

Send your tweets to @StrettyNews to feature in the live blog.

Match prediction: Granada 0-2 Manchester United

19:43 Reader comment: “Greenwood where he should be about time.”

Lots of pace either side of him, too, if he plays central like we think he will. Hope to see us blitz Granada!

19:40 Mike Phelan enjoys the sight of football fans en route to stadium

19:33 Reader comment on Rashford starting: “He’s going to suffer long term with injuries.”

Solskjaer explained yesterday that he will not play a player unless they’ve been passed fit by our medical team. I don’t think he’s lying, and on top of that Rashford has delayed his shoulder operation until the European Championships are finished.

Nobody has asked the question yet, but does that mean we are going to be without Rashford for the start f next season?

Eeeeek.

19:24 Cavani decision is telling but it offers us something off the bench

The Uruguayan was poor on Sunday in the 2-1 win over Brighton and didn’t look very interested.

There’s a lot of talk about him moving to Boca Juniors in the press – we ran a report on Marcos Rojo’s recent comments where he urges the striker to join him in Argentina.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has opted to start Rashford instead of giving him extra rest. The reason being he has not been able to trust Cavani.

Still, you would have to argue that he’s a better option off the bench than Odion Ighalo.

19:18 Popular choice in midfield

Stretty News contributor Brian is buzzing with the news McTominay starts ahead of Fred.

It hasn’t often been the case this season, but I feel McTominay brings a drive to our midfield that we miss whenever he doesn’t play. It might be a good idea to sign a technical defensive midfielder to give this forever growing academy graduate the license he deserves in bigger games.

Hopefully we see a big performance tonight to back up the praise.

18:57 TEAM NEWS: Granada

Granada XI: Rui Silva, Víctor Díaz, Jesús Vallejo, Domingos Duarte, Carlos Neva, Yangel Herrera, Maxime Gonalons, Kenedy, Ángel Montoro, Antonio Puertas, Roberto Soldado.

18:53 David de Gea – Europa League goalkeeper status

I don’t think anyone would be surprised to see De Gea leave this summer but, being such a fantastic club servant down the years, I hope he leaves the club on the back of a triumph.

The Spaniard is one of the best goalkeepers we’ve had at the club and deserved more league titles.

But now seems to be the right time to say goodbye.

18:49 Team news is in! De Gea starts his first game since February 28

It should look like this: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw; McTominay, Fernandes, Pogba; James, Greenwood, Rashford.

18:41 Team news soon

Marcus Rashford limped off against Brighton after a knock to his ankle but was able to train on Wednesday and has travelled to Spain. Solskjaer spoke about his fitness situation here.

18:31 Quick glimpse of the pitch

18:01 Under 2 hours left until kick-off

From reading tweets and engaging in online discussion with fellow Reds, I get the feeling many think tonight will be a walk in the park.

I don’t know a great deal about Granada, nor can I claim to be a frequent spectator but from what I’ve been told, Diego Martinez have built a side that enjoys being the underdog and shouldn’t be underestimated.

Anyhow, my pizza just arrived. I’ll be back shortly with more pre-match notes!

17:50 New Strettycast makes for perfect pre-match listening

We spoke to Heath Chesters, a Mancunian who fell in love with Granada. Mike and myself really enjoyed this conversation.

17:28 Granda manager Diego Martinez is an interesting character

Many are saying he is the best up and coming manager in Spain. Here’s an article we published today profiling tonight’s opposing manager.

17:09 De Gea set to start

Sounds like David de Gea will be our Europa League goalkeeper for the rest of the campaign.

I’m happy with Dean Henderson being first choice, it’s been coming for some time.

17:06 Thanks for joining me on my first experience live blogging a match on Stretty News

Join us for live blog coverage of our Europa League clash with Granada at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes, kick-off 20.00. Live updates will show up instantly above this text and the feed begins shortly after 5pm.

We’ve got text commentary, updates, goal clips, observations and some humour. If you want to join the chat, send a tweet to @StrettyNews.

Pre-Match Facts

  • The Reds are undefeated in 25 of their last 27 matches in the Europa League.
  • On top of that, there have been under 2.5 goals scored in United’s last three games in the second-rate European competition.
  • Granada are one of the long shots remaining in the competition but they had to knock Napoli out to reach this stage.
  • They are the 11th different Spanish side United have faced in European competition, and this is their first maiden European campaign, which is remarkable really.
  • Man City loanee Yangel Herrera is Granada’s top scorer in European competition this season with five goals, including qualifying rounds.

Read more: Bruno Fernandes wants to win everything at Manchester United

More Stories Bruno Fernandes David de Gea Diego Martinez Granada Manchester United Marcus Rashford