Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has set his Manchester United side the target of ending their semi-final jinx as he looks to secure his first silverware as manager at Old Trafford.
The Norwegian's team take on Roma on Thursday looking to make it fifth-time lucky at this stage after losing two League Cup semi-finals to Manchester City and going out in the last four of the FA Cup to Chelsea and last season's Europa League to Sevilla.
Solskjaer has a further three quarter-final exits since replacing Jose Mourinho and he said he has analysed United’s near-misses in knockout competitions in his bid to win their first trophy since 2017.
He said: "We have done remarkably well to get to five semis in just a little bit more than a season. Now we want to go all the way. That would mean so much to the end of our season if we have a final to look forward to.
"We have looked at them and the reasons why but every semi-final is a tough one against tough teams. Some defeats you dwell on a little bit more, but it is about putting things right.
"When you come to the business end of the season, the main thing is being there and in and around the important games, being in good form and having confidence and belief, but also to have that bit of luck and quality that is needed.”
Granada 0 United 2: player ratings
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GRANADA PLAYER RATINGS: Rui Silva 5 – United barely threatened Silva’s goal apart from the two goals they scored. He could do little about Rashford’s effort but he will feel disappointed he didn’t get more behind Fernandes’ penalty. He earlier made a key stop to deny Fernandes who was through on goal. Getty Images -
Victor Diaz 6 – Looked solid at the back despite facing Rashford’s speed, and he also caused problems going forward when he flashed a superb cross across the area. Unfortunately, there was no one there to finish it off. AP -
Jesus Vallejo 7 – The loan defender had a bright game at the back and didn’t really put a foot wrong. AFP -
Domingos Duarte 5 – Coped well with Greenwood, Rashford and James, though his evening came to a premature finish when he came off worse following a heavy challenge on Daniel James. AFP -
Carlos Neva 6 – Returning from injury, he coped admirably before being replaced by Foulquier before the end. Getty Images -
Yangel Herrera 7 – Pulled the strings for the home side at times and he came close to levelling the scores when he struck the outside of the post. Later, he should have done better when two on two, but his attempted pass to Soldado was cleared by Lindelof. His final ball let him down again when attempting to release Neva. EPA -
Maxime Gonalons 6 – The experienced midfielder played in a deeper position and enjoyed plenty of possession in the first half. He did well to restrict Fernandes throughout. Getty Images -
Antonio Puertas 6 – Puertas kept his place in the side from the weekend and you could argue his biggest contribution was earning fouls that got both McTominay and Shaw booked for the second leg. AP -
Angel Montoro 6 – The progressive midfielder put himself about at set pieces. He wasn’t able to have his usual influence when it came to creating chances, though. PA -
Kenedy 7 – Had Granada’s first effort when he blazed over from a tight angle and came close with two efforts either side of the break too, the first a volleyed effort that was struck neatly. He had three of the game’s four shots on target. Reuters -
Roberto Soldado 5 – Had few opportunities as the lone striker but came close when he fired into the side netting from a tight angle. He had another chance before the break but dragged a shot wide of the near post. Was well marshalled by Lindelof and Maguire. Reuters -
SUBS: German Sanchez (Duarte, 54) 6 – Replaced by Vallejon at the heart of defence ahead of kick-off, he performed well when covering for the injured Duarte (no match photo available). AFP -
Dmitri Foulquier (Neva, 74) N/A – Did little to impact the game when he came on 16 minutes from time (no match photo available). Reuters -
Yan Brice Eteki (Gonalons, 86) N/A – He had a disastrous impact when his nudge on Bruno Fernandes gave away the penalty that lead to the second goal (no match photo available). Getty Images -
Darwin Machis (Kenedy, 75) N/A – The talented youngster saw a long-range shot deflected just minutes after coming on. AP -
Luis Suarez (Soldado, 87) N/A – The second goal killed the game and Suarez didn’t have much of a sniff after coming on in the aftermath. AFP -
MANCHETER UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea 7. United felt Granada’s main threat could come from crosses and recalled the Spaniard. A shot hit the post after 41 mins but he had it covered. Firm in saving a shot from a minute before half time and again after 49, but seldom seriously challenged as most efforts came straight at him. AFP -
Aaron Wan Bissaka 7. Had to be careful as Granada’s main threat was going to come down the wings. He was. Came inside when he needed to, muted the threat of Kenedy. Got forward to cramp Granada’s big soccer night. Reuters -
Victor Lindelof 8. He carried the ball deep into the Granada half as the Spanish side compacted defensively. Then he hit a 60-yard ball from deep in his own half for Rashford to cushion, control and score the opener. Well positioned throughout and blocked a 70th minute Granada attack. Best player on the pitch in another away clean sheet in Europe. AFP -
Harry Maguire 8. Busy with more touches than any player as United dominated with 68 per cent of first half possession. Frustrated that neither he nor Lindelof got onto a 54th minute Fernandes set-piece, so took things into his hands three minutes later when he strode forward and shot wide. Chipped by Herrera a minute after that. Booked and will miss second leg. Getty Images -
Luke Shaw 6. Conceded a 43rd minute free-kick which led to a booking and he’ll also miss the next game. United are comfortable at left back, Telles will be able to cover as he did when he came on at half time, but the referee was definitely more suited to the softer Spanish game. EPA -
Paul Pogba 6. Broke strongly after four minutes and played Rashford in. Lively in the middle. The first of three United players to be booked in the first half and constrained a little thereafter. PA -
Scott McTominay 6. United expected to have most of the possession against a highly motivated and organised opponents. But none were as loud or motivated at McTominay. The most vocal player on the pitch, his shouts of ‘second ball!’ penetrated the Andalusian night. Booked and is another one who will miss the return leg. Getty Images -
Daniel James 6. Busied himself down the right. Limp ball when three forwards were waiting after 36. Poor touch when Pogba played him in and expected a return on 45. He becomes more effective as games go on because his energy levels are so high, but didn’t have a huge impact on the game. EPA -
Bruno Fernandes. 7. Always encouraged Greenwood and drove United forward as they had eight shots in the first half, but while he got in the right positions, the magic wasn’t there for him. He did step up to score his 19th penalty out of 20 taken for United to put his side in a very strong position. PA -
Marcus Rashford. 8. Takes free-kicks from distance with a fine technique but needs to find his range. Caught out with the ball on the halfway line soon after, then curled a ball just over after 27, but his control of a long Lindelof ball and subsequent finish was top class. Still doesn’t look 100 per cent fit after injury but with Martial out he’s needed more than ever. Second consecutive season he’s hit more than 20 goals. EPA -
Mason Greenwood 6. Played as lead striker but almost was as isolated as Romelu Lukaku on United’s last visit to Andalusia. When he got on the ball he ran at defenders despite Bruno shouting for it. He’s been training well, playing well and scored at the weekend with an instinctive header. No goals tonight, but improved in the second half. EPA -
SUBS: Alex Telles 6. On for the cautioned Shaw at half time. Takes a wicked corner, but tried to lift a short one in which didn’t work. Getty Images -
Edinson Cavani 6. On for Rashford after 65. He might not be at United for a long time, but he’s going to be important for the end of season run-in. Went straight into the central position but his reverse header to end a Granada attack after 72 was his first key contribution. AP -
Nemanja Matic 6. On for Pogba after 74. Controlled in possession and earned a ‘Well done Nemanja’ from McTominay for playing the ball out of a dangerous position. Fifth United player to be booked. Getty Images -
Donny Van de Beek On for Greenwood after 85. PA
United’s owners, the Glazer family, were among the ringleaders of the doomed European Super League but Solskjaer shrugged off suggestions the Europa League is unimportant to United.
He added: “We have had a great night in this tournament before [in 2017] and we know how much it means for the whole club.”
Solskjaer faces a decision in goal. Dean Henderson has taken over as his first choice but the displaced David de Gea kept clean sheets in both legs of the quarter-final against Granada and the manager was reluctant to say who will start on Thursday.
"I am the luckiest manager in world football to have them,” he said. “We have been building clean sheets. Both Dean and David want to lift the trophy."
One of United’s greatest European performances came against Roma, with Solskjaer a substitute in a 7-1 thrashing in the 2007 Champions League quarter-finals. “That night was magical,” Solskjaer said. “Alan Smith was excellent, we showed what United can do. We want a performance like this again.”
Roma supporters have had a different grievance with Solskjaer, erecting banners at their training ground criticising him after he said he did not know much about the Serie A side.
But the Norwegian insisted it was a throwaway remark, made in the immediate aftermath of the game against Granada, and added: “It was not meant as any disrespect. I was just relieved we had gone through. We have analysed them since. They are a fantastic club with a great history.
"I have got two prize possessions back home, a [Francesco] Totti shirt and a [Daniele] De Rossi shirt I swapped with them, actually signed.”
United 2 Granada 0: player ratings
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MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: David De Gea 7. Three attempts on his goal from his compatriots, two of them in the last five minutes. Solid saving an 85th minute strike from Diaz and then made a better reflex save from Herrera for another clean sheet. AFP -
Aaron Wan Bissaka 8. Inadvertently set up Kenedy with a poor square ball just before half time, while good defending saw him deflect a ball. Fine tackling to set up a counter attack with Greenwood and then Van de Beek after 59. EPA -
Victor Lindelof 7. Comfortable all night against a team who kept him on his toes as he played without his usual partner Harry Maguire. Reuters -
Axel Tuanzebe 7. Rare start and played well with a composed performance. Fine block from a Luiz Suarez shot. Needed that. Getty Images -
Alex Telles 7. Combined well with Pogba on the left in the first half and crossed towards Mata for the second goal as United defeated Spanish opponents at home for only the second time in 11 games. AFP -
Nemanja Matic 7. Beautiful lofted pass to Fernandes after 33 which was volleyed over from close range. More touches – 100 – than any other player on the pitch. Fine playing in games like this. Reuters -
Fred 6. Played alongside Matic in a holding midfield two. Energy as ever as United controlled the game as they had in Spain, but gave the ball away too much in the first half. EPA -
Paul Pogba 7 Eventful first half for the captain where he was everywhere, tackling and pushing forward. Clever run and reverse header to set up Cavani for the opener, then a yellow card for holding off a player, and was fortunate to not to get another yellow. Banged his knee before half time too. Was rightly brought off at half time. EPA -
Bruno Fernandes 7. Volleyed a 33rd minute pass from Matic over and skewed a shot wide after being set up by Cavani five minutes later. The pair combined again in the 56th minute, two world class players who need to stay together and play together. By that time he had moved left as Van de Beek played centrally. AP -
Mason Greenwood 6. Wild shot after 43 which went well wide. Big chance to head his side 2-0 up after 50 minutes. He’s been playing well, but two so-so games against the Spaniards. EPA -
Edinson Cavani 8. In-form and chasing his first European goal for United and his 50th goal in European competition, the Uruguayan pushed a fourth minute ball to Greenwood but it was short. Two minutes later he volleyed Pogba’s header into the far corner to put his side ahead – his 413th goal for clubs and country. Incredible movement before shouldering a 56th minute Fernandes cross wide. EPA -
SUBS: Donny Van de Beek 7. Slight surprise that he didn’t start but replaced Pogba at half time and went into the role where Fernandes had played. Shot wide after 58. Neat link ups. Encouraging – he needed that. AFP -
Daniel James 6. On for Cavani after 60. More minutes for a player who wouldn’t be in United’s strongest XI. Reuters -
Juan Mata N/A. On for Fernandes after 73 for a late – and rare – appearance. Was in position to head the second, which went in off Vallejo. Getty Images -
Amad Diallo N/A. On for Greenwood after 81. Stopped from running on goal which looked like a card. He'll be going back to Italy as Roma are the opponents in the semi final. Reuters -
GRANADA PLAYER RATINGS: Rui Silva 6 - Not much to do other than pick the ball out of the net on two occasions. EPA -
Dimitri Foulquier 7 - The full-back was powerful when running with the ball and also defended well. One of Granada’s best players displaying good technique with crossing but it was a lacklustre attacking performance all-round from the visitors. EPA -
Jesus Vallejo 5 - A lack of concentration at times allowed United to get into dangerous situations. Didn’t seem to be in sync with Granada’s defensive line and that showed when heading the ball into his own net in the 90th minute. Reuters -
German Sanchez 6 - Looked to organise the defence well but Cavani was given far too much space in the box for the United opener. Cut out a ball that looked destined for James in the 70th minute, but the game looked to be over by then. Getty Images -
Carlos Neva 6 - Positive going forward when supporting down the left flank but sometimes left space which was exploited by United on a number of occasions throughout the game. AFP -
Angel Montoro 6 - Helped transition the ball into some good areas but Granada never look like overturning the deficit. United’s defensive performance made it difficult for the Spanish side to create enough meaningful opportunities. EPA -
Maxime Gonalons 6 - The French midfielder couldn’t get into the game before being forced off with an injury just after the half-hour mark. AP -
Kenedy 5 - A rabona cross and a wild shot that nearly went out for a throw-in were the only times Kenedy stood out. Taken off at half-time. Getty Images -
Yangel Herrera 6 - Had some of Granada’s best chances of the game with some intelligent movement but was unable to convert on all three headers. Should have levelled the scoring late-on but a good save from De Gea denied the playmaker. Getty Images -
Darwin Machis 5 - Showed good pace when challenging United defenders but the end product just wasn’t there. Almost non-existent in the second half as Wan-Bissaka kept the winger quiet. AP -
Roberto Soldado 5 - The former Tottenham striker couldn’t get on the ball in any dangerous areas and was substituted at the break. EPA -
SUBS: Jorge Molina (Gonalons, 32) 6 - The 38-year-old worked hard but should have done better with Foulquier’s cross that didn’t threaten De Gea’s goal. AFP -
Antonio Puertas (Kenedy, 45) 6 - Added flair to Granada’s midfield with a number of neat touches to create space but couldn’t penetrate a compact United backline. PA -
Luis Suarez (Soldado, 45) 5 - Offered more in the box than Soldado but couldn’t get the better of the two centre-backs. AFP -
Victor Diaz (Neva, 74) N/A - A good effort nearly troubled De Gea from outside the box but finding three goals in 16 minutes was always going to be a mammoth task. Could have been sent off for a foul on Diallo who looked to be one-on-one against Silva. PA -
Neuhen Perez (Sanchez, 82) N/A - Granada substituting a defender on for their captain and centre-back looked to be the waving of the white flag by the Spanish side. EPA
