Marcus Rashford's brilliant finish and a Bruno Fernandes penalty handed Manchester United a 2-0 victory over Granada on Thursday, putting them firmly in charge of their Europa League quarter-final.

Rashford latched onto a long ball from Victor Lindelof in the first half, the striker injecting the one bit of quality into a frantic contest at Los Carmenes before Fernandes made it two in the 90th minute.

The result gives United a commanding lead heading into the second leg next week at Old Trafford, where they should finish the job and book their place in the semi-final to face either Ajax or Roma, the Italians leading 2-1 after the first leg.&nbsp;

"It's a clean sheet and David (de Gea) wasn't really troubled," said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "There were moments that could have been chances but I thought we defended well when we had to and I think 2-0 is a good lead."

Rashford has now scored eight of United's 23 goals in Europe this season.

"It was a very good run and he takes the ball fantastically," said Solskjaer.

Granada celebrated their 90-year anniversary on Tuesday and arguably have never played a bigger fixture, a club that has never won a major trophy against one that has claimed 20 Premier League titles and three European Cups.&nbsp;

This is something of a fairytale for the Spanish club that finished 10th in the second division only three years ago before Diego Martinez, arguably La Liga's brightest up and coming coach, engineered promotion and then qualification for Europe.&nbsp;

Six players in their starting line-up played for them in the second tier and with Los Carmenes empty, Granada even sent all their season ticket holders a personalised ticket as a souvenir to mark the occasion.&nbsp;

But it will take a momentous comeback next week for them to turn this tie around. "I think the result is a harsh punishment for what happened in the game," said Martinez. "The last goal hurts, it hurts a lot."

<h2>- De Gea back in goal -</h2>

For United, the Europa League remains Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's only realistic hope of a trophy and with a place in the top four all-but guaranteed, he can afford to give it his full attention.&nbsp;

Solskjaer fielded a strong line-up, with Rashford handed a start despite coming off against Brighton on Sunday with a knock. David de Gea was picked in goal for the first time since February.&nbsp;

Granada had Roberto Soldado up front, the 35-year-old striker who endured two disappointing seasons with Tottenham in the Premier League but tasted victory against United in his last appearance for them in 2014, when he came off for a young Harry Kane.&nbsp;

United had to survive a frantic opening period when neither side really settled but Rashford dropped the first bit of real precision into the match just after half an hour.&nbsp;

Lindelof spotted his run in behind but Rashford still had a lot to do, his outstretched foot cushioning the ball perfectly into his path and giving him a simple finish past Rui Silva.&nbsp;

Granada responded, a mishit cross from Yangel Herrera, on loan from Manchester City, hitting the post before Kenedy tested De Gea with a well-struck volley.&nbsp;

But United absorbed the pressure and should have scored a second when Daniel James burst through down the left and slipped in Fernandes, but he was unable to find the finish from the angle.&nbsp;

Fernandes, though, won the penalty, fouled by Yan Eteki before getting up to take it, a scuffed shot squirming into the bottom corner to put United in sight of the semis.

Marcus Rashford's brilliant finish and a Bruno Fernandes penalty handed Manchester United a 2-0 victory over Granada on Thursday, putting them firmly in charge of their Europa League quarter-final.

Marcus Rashford's brilliant finish and a Bruno Fernandes penalty handed Manchester United a 2-0 victory over Granada on Thursday, putting them firmly in charge of their Europa League quarter-final. Rashford latched onto a long ball from Victor Lindelof in the first half, the striker injecting the one bit of quality into a frantic contest at Los Carmenes before Fernandes made it two in the 90th minute. The result gives United a commanding lead heading into the second leg next week at Old Trafford, where they should finish the job and book their place in the semi-final to face either Ajax or Roma, the Italians leading 2-1 after the first leg. "It's a clean sheet and David (de Gea) wasn't really troubled," said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "There were moments that could have been chances but I thought we defended well when we had to and I think 2-0 is a good lead." Rashford has now scored eight of United's 23 goals in Europe this season. "It was a very good run and he takes the ball fantastically," said Solskjaer. Granada celebrated their 90-year anniversary on Tuesday and arguably have never played a bigger fixture, a club that has never won a major trophy against one that has claimed 20 Premier League titles and three European Cups. This is something of a fairytale for the Spanish club that finished 10th in the second division only three years ago before Diego Martinez, arguably La Liga's brightest up and coming coach, engineered promotion and then qualification for Europe. Six players in their starting line-up played for them in the second tier and with Los Carmenes empty, Granada even sent all their season ticket holders a personalised ticket as a souvenir to mark the occasion. But it will take a momentous comeback next week for them to turn this tie around. "I think the result is a harsh punishment for what happened in the game," said Martinez. "The last goal hurts, it hurts a lot." - De Gea back in goal - For United, the Europa League remains Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's only realistic hope of a trophy and with a place in the top four all-but guaranteed, he can afford to give it his full attention. Solskjaer fielded a strong line-up, with Rashford handed a start despite coming off against Brighton on Sunday with a knock. David de Gea was picked in goal for the first time since February. Granada had Roberto Soldado up front, the 35-year-old striker who endured two disappointing seasons with Tottenham in the Premier League but tasted victory against United in his last appearance for them in 2014, when he came off for a young Harry Kane. United had to survive a frantic opening period when neither side really settled but Rashford dropped the first bit of real precision into the match just after half an hour. Lindelof spotted his run in behind but Rashford still had a lot to do, his outstretched foot cushioning the ball perfectly into his path and giving him a simple finish past Rui Silva. Granada responded, a mishit cross from Yangel Herrera, on loan from Manchester City, hitting the post before Kenedy tested De Gea with a well-struck volley. But United absorbed the pressure and should have scored a second when Daniel James burst through down the left and slipped in Fernandes, but he was unable to find the finish from the angle. Fernandes, though, won the penalty, fouled by Yan Eteki before getting up to take it, a scuffed shot squirming into the bottom corner to put United in sight of the semis.

Rashford and Fernandes ensure United brush off Granada

Paul Pogba returned from injury to score the winner as Manchester United beat AC Milan 1-0 on Thursday to advance to the Europa League quarter-finals 2-1 on aggregate.

World Cup winner Pogba had been sidelined for over five weeks with a hamstring injury.

But the 28-year-old Frenchman scored four minutes after coming off the bench at the start of the second half in the last 16, second leg clash at the San Siro.

Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer welcomed Pogba's return as "a big, big boost for us".

"The boys have done remarkable without Paul but we know his qualities.

"He makes a very, very big difference to us. Paul has been working really hard, but you could see he couldn't play more han 45 minutes.

"We had to readdress a couple of things in the second half when I think we were much, much better

"We want to go all the way, it was hard to lose in the semi-finals (last year)."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic also returned from a thigh injury for Milan, the Swede coming on after an hour but despite threatening could not find a way past his former club.

"This elimination is a big disappointment," said coach Stefano Pioli.

"We played like a great team but we should have scored a goal in the first half tonight.

"Manchester are a very strong team that got to the semi-finals of the Europa League last year, a team that beat Manchester City 10 days ago.

"It's tough be we have to bounce back immediately in the league."

Milan had a slight advantage against 2017 winners United thanks to Simon Kjaer's stoppage-time away goal in the first leg at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer named&nbsp;an unchanged side from the first leg, sticking with the team that beat West Ham at the weekend in the Premier League.

Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani remained out injured but Marcus Rashford returned as a starter, with Pogba and Donny van de Beek back on the bench.

<h2>- Pogba's strength 'no secret' -</h2>

United put the hosts under pressure early, but the 'Rossoneri' got into their stride&nbsp;as the first half progressed.

Samu Castillejo pulled a pass back for Franck Kessie after 25 minutes, but a Victor Lindelof sliding tackle averted the danger for United.

Kessie was impressive in midfield, the Ivorian sending through an unmarked Alexis Saelemaekers only for Dean Henderson beat away the Belgian's effort.

Rade Krunic missed a chance to break the deadlock before the break when he shot wide just before half time.

Pogba came off the bench in place of Rashford after the break and had an immediate impact.&nbsp;

The former Juventus player blasting into the top of the net from close range following a scramble on front of the Milan goal.

Mason Greenwood&nbsp;tried his chance from a distance just after but Gianluigi Donnarumma made a save.

Ibrahimovic came on after 65 minutes in place of Castillejo along with Manchester United loanee Diogo Dalot.

And the Swede almost broke through seven minutes later, getting his head to a Hakan Calhanoglu cross, rising above Luke Shaw with Henderson doing well to punch the header out.

United held on with Pogba almost doubling their account with a header two minutes from time.

"I was sure my header would go in but it didn't," said Ibrahimovic.&nbsp;

"We did well throughout the game, we created many chances, but if you don't score then the moment comes when their pressing led us to an error that cost us dearly because of Pogba's goal.&nbsp;

"Everyone knows how strong (Pogba) is, it's no secret. He's not strong, he's very strong."

Paul Pogba returned from injury to score the winner as Manchester United beat AC Milan 1-0 on Thursday to advance to the Europa League quarter-finals 2-1 on aggregate.

Paul Pogba returned from injury to score the winner as Manchester United beat AC Milan 1-0 on Thursday to advance to the Europa League quarter-finals 2-1 on aggregate. World Cup winner Pogba had been sidelined for over five weeks with a hamstring injury. But the 28-year-old Frenchman scored four minutes after coming off the bench at the start of the second half in the last 16, second leg clash at the San Siro. Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer welcomed Pogba's return as "a big, big boost for us". "The boys have done remarkable without Paul but we know his qualities. "He makes a very, very big difference to us. Paul has been working really hard, but you could see he couldn't play more han 45 minutes. "We had to readdress a couple of things in the second half when I think we were much, much better "We want to go all the way, it was hard to lose in the semi-finals (last year)." Zlatan Ibrahimovic also returned from a thigh injury for Milan, the Swede coming on after an hour but despite threatening could not find a way past his former club. "This elimination is a big disappointment," said coach Stefano Pioli. "We played like a great team but we should have scored a goal in the first half tonight. "Manchester are a very strong team that got to the semi-finals of the Europa League last year, a team that beat Manchester City 10 days ago. "It's tough be we have to bounce back immediately in the league." Milan had a slight advantage against 2017 winners United thanks to Simon Kjaer's stoppage-time away goal in the first leg at Old Trafford. Solskjaer named an unchanged side from the first leg, sticking with the team that beat West Ham at the weekend in the Premier League. Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani remained out injured but Marcus Rashford returned as a starter, with Pogba and Donny van de Beek back on the bench. - Pogba's strength 'no secret' - United put the hosts under pressure early, but the 'Rossoneri' got into their stride as the first half progressed. Samu Castillejo pulled a pass back for Franck Kessie after 25 minutes, but a Victor Lindelof sliding tackle averted the danger for United. Kessie was impressive in midfield, the Ivorian sending through an unmarked Alexis Saelemaekers only for Dean Henderson beat away the Belgian's effort. Rade Krunic missed a chance to break the deadlock before the break when he shot wide just before half time. Pogba came off the bench in place of Rashford after the break and had an immediate impact. The former Juventus player blasting into the top of the net from close range following a scramble on front of the Milan goal. Mason Greenwood tried his chance from a distance just after but Gianluigi Donnarumma made a save. Ibrahimovic came on after 65 minutes in place of Castillejo along with Manchester United loanee Diogo Dalot. And the Swede almost broke through seven minutes later, getting his head to a Hakan Calhanoglu cross, rising above Luke Shaw with Henderson doing well to punch the header out. United held on with Pogba almost doubling their account with a header two minutes from time. "I was sure my header would go in but it didn't," said Ibrahimovic. "We did well throughout the game, we created many chances, but if you don't score then the moment comes when their pressing led us to an error that cost us dearly because of Pogba's goal. "Everyone knows how strong (Pogba) is, it's no secret. He's not strong, he's very strong."

Pogba downs Milan to send Man United into Europa League last eight

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Rashford and Fernandes ensure United brush off Granada

Pogba downs Milan to send Man United into Europa League last eight