Five things we learned as Manchester United beat Granada 2-0

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Manchester United have beaten Granada 2-0, winning 4-0 on aggregate to reach the Europa League semi-finals.

Here is a look at five things we learned from the game…

Cavani is back on form

Edinson Cavani was one of the stars as United beat Tottenham at the weekend, scoring in the 3-1 win. He continued that form by scoring with his first attempt against Granada.

The Uruguayan scored United’s opener with a sweetly struck volley, after Granada left him in way too much space inside the penalty area.

It is good to see Cavani on form, playing like the clinical striker we know he can be. He will be needed at the weekend against Burnley, and this was an ideal way to warm up.

The strike was Cavani’s 50th European goal in all competitions, and his first for United.

United added another via an own goal in injury time.

Pogba’s attacking prowess continues

Paul Pogba showed his quality by providing an assist for the third successive game.

The Frenchman knocked down a header into Cavani’s path for United’s first goal, which was not an easy move to execute from the position he was in.

Pogba was wearing the captain’s armband in Harry Maguire’s absence and seemed to be inspired by it.

The only downside of his performance was his early booking, and the way Granada’s players tried to get him sent off.

He was withdrawn at half-time to allow Donny van de Beek to play 45 minutes.

Tuanzebe steps up

This was Axel Tuanzebe’s first start since January, a 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United.

Tuanzebe was in because of suspension for Harry Maguire and Eric Bailly’s unavailability.

United needed a solid performance from Tuanzebe, and he delivered.

A calm, composed, and error free performance was what United needed, and that was what Tuanzebe provided.

This gives his United career a bit of a lifeline, and there could be more opportunities later this season.

Disappointing game time for Amad

If Solskjaer was feeling bold, he could have started Amad in this game, with Marcus Rashford out.

At 3-0 up at half-time, perhaps that was the moment? Solskjaer declined that, then brought Dan James and Juan Mata on, and Amad only came on in the 82nd minute.

The second half was fairly dull and was crying out for some invention.

It was good Amad finally did make it on, eight minutes was better than nothing, but really, Solskjaer could have been bolder.

As for Anthony Elanga, he was an unused substitute and will have to wait for another time for his debut.

Semi-final is the real challenge

Manchester United are into a fifth semi-final under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

There is real pressure on the team to finally win one.

This quarter-final never really felt too competitive, and that’s fine, but United will have to raise their game in the last four.

Roma are up next, after they beat Ajax over two legs. This means a reunion with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Chris Smalling, if he is fit.

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