A late goal by Marcus Rashford guided Manchester United into the Europa League semi-finals, after they beat Anderlecht 3-2 on aggregate on Thursday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
United made five changes from their win over Chelsea. Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns to the starting line-up to spearhead the attack, while Sergio Romero replaces David de Gea between the sticks. Luke Shaw, Michael Carrick and Mkhitaryan also come back into the fold from the weekend.
Anderlecht made four changes from the side that drew against United in the home leg. Uro Spajic, Lukas Teodorczyk, Alexandru Chipciu and Hanni all come into the side.
Sporting came out with an attacking intent in the opening exchanges, and came close to opening the scoring in the third minute as Sofiane Hanni did well in the midfield to send Frank Acheampong on his way down the left. His cross was initially blocked, but Leander Dendoncker tried his luck from distance when he produced a strike. However, his effort sailed just over the bar.
Manchester United took the lead seven minutes later when Henrikh Mkhitaryan collected a pass from Marcus Rashford at the edge of the box, before rifling his strike past Ruben Martinez and into the bottom corner.
Mkhitaryan nearly turned provider in the 12th-minute as he swung a cross in from the right to Paul Pogba, who rose highest to head the ball at goal. His effort looked to be creeping into the top corner before Ruben turned it over the bar.
United were dealt a major blow in the 22nd minute when Marcos Rojo was forced off the field with an injury, and had to be replaced by Daley Blind after the former collided with Eric Bailly.
Anderlecht then levelled matters in the 32nd minute when Sofiane Hanni hammered the ball past Sergio Romero from close range to make it 1-1.
The first 45 minutes of the match came to a close as the scoreline remained 1-1 at the half-time interval.
The home side came out with more intent in the second half and nearly took the lead after Luke Shaw made a run inside the left channel, before firing a low ball across the face of goal for Jesse Lingard. The winger met the ball, but could not make enough contact to steer it into the empty net.
United had a good opportunity to make it 2-1 when Rashford collected the ball at the edge of the box, before drilling his strike inches wide of the post in the 65th minute.
Anderlecht were comfortable enough to soak up the pressure, but came close to scoring in the 70th minute when Youri Tielemans played Acheampong through before unleashing a strike, which deflected over the bar.
United had a golden opportunity to take the lead eight minutes later when Mkhitaryan swung the ball into a dangerous area for Pogba, but the Frenchmen sent his headed effort over the bar from six yards out.
Jose Mourinho’s side could’ve put the match to bed in the 89th minute when Zlatan Ibrahimovic scooped the ball into the path of Rashford. However, the youngster was unable to squeeze his shot inside Ruben’s right-hand post, hitting the side-netting.
The scoreline remained 1-1 after 90 minutes of football, forcing the match into extra time.
United thought they had taken the lead in the 101st minute when Pogba slotted the ball into the net. However, the goal was disallowed after the referee blew for a foul on Spajic by Fellaini at the back post.
Two minutes into the second-half of extra-time Rashford gave his side the lead with his strike from close range after a knockdown by Fellaini to make it 2-1.
Acheampong should’ve put Anderlecht ahead in the 116th minute as he stretched to guide his header past Romero from close range, but the keeper made the save to deny the winger.
Antony Martial thought he had secured the tie for the Red Devils as he slotted the ball into the back of the net, but he was adjudged to have been offside.
United held on to their 2-1 lead against Anderlecht until the final whistle to book their place in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Image: Uefa website
