Manchester United vs Granada predictions and match preview for Thursday’s game in the UEFA Europa League. Read on for the team news, analysis and predicted lineups as Diego Martinez’s side travel to England to face Premier League giants.
- DATE: Thursday 15th April 2021
- KICK-OFF: 20:00 (local time)
- VENUE: Old Trafford
- COMPETITION: UEFA Europa League Quarter Final, 2nd Leg
- MANCHESTER UNITED LEAD 2-0 ON AGGREGATE
Manchester United vs Granada Preview
Granada’s European adventure takes them to the theatre of dreams on Thursday and it certainly has been a dream season for a club that had never previously played in Europe. 2-0 down from the 1st Leg, this will surely be the end of the road for Granada but they’ll be keen to enjoy their trip to Manchester and give a strong account of themselves.
Diego Martinez’s side started out in the Europa League this season way back in September in Albania, winning three single-legged qualifiers to reach the group stage. Victories over the likes of PSV and Napoli have followed but it was always going to be tough against a Manchester United side that are the favourites to win the whole competition and so it proved with goals from Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes settling last week’s 1st Leg.
To their credit, Granada responded well with a 2-1 win away to Real Valladolid at the weekend in LaLiga. They’ve done brilliantly to manage the demands of a hectic schedule this term and currently find themselves 8th in LaLiga, with an outside shot of qualifying for Europe again. It’ll be interesting to see what Diego Martinez’s approach is here and he may consider rotating in some areas with a comeback highly unlikely, although neither will he want to be seen as throwing in the towel completely by fielding a much weakened side.
United are also highly likely to rotate their side and they have several suspensions to deal with in any case, although a home game with Burnley this coming weekend isn’t the toughest of tests so it’s still likely to be a strong XI from the English side. The Red Devils were 3-1 victors at Tottenham on Sunday as they bid to find some way to battle back into the title race, although realistically, their hopes of silverware this season are now exclusively in this competition.
If there’s some encouragement for Granada fans, it’s that Manchester United have often been more convincing away than at home this season. They’ve suffered 6 defeats at Old Trafford in all competitions and both of their home Europa League matches ended up level against Real Sociedad and AC Milan.
Head to Head
- Manchester United won 2-0 in Spain in the 1st Leg last week.
- This will be only the second meeting between the clubs.
Team News
Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay are all banned for United. Eric Bailly and Daniel James are rated doubtful.
Domingos Duarte and Yan Eteki are both suspended for the visitors. Key midfielder Luis Milla is still injured.
Predicted Man United Starting Lineup:
De Gea – Telles, Lindelof, Tuanzebe, Wan-Bissaka – Matic, Fred – Rashford, Fernandes, Amad – Greenwood (4-2-3-1)
Predicted Granada Starting Lineup:
Silva – Neva, Vallejo, Sanchez, Diaz – Herrera, Gonalons – Kenedy, Montoro, Puertas – Soldado (4-2-3-1)
Manchester United vs Granada Predictions
Score Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Granada (United win 4-1 on aggregate)
Granada will feel as though the pressure is completely off here with no serious expectation that they are going to get back into the tie. They have enough quality to ask questions of Manchester United, but the English side should still secure a comfortable progression into the last four.
UEFA Europa League Betting Tips (18+)
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