Manchester United welcomed Anderlecht to Old Trafford for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night, with the score level at 1-1 from the first leg in Brussels.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan sent Man United into a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute of the second leg, but Anderlecht were level in the 31st minute when Sofiane Hanni netted from close range.
Man United had a whole host of chances to win the tie in the second period, but wasteful finishing from the 20-time English champions saw the quarter-final head for extra-time following an aggregate score of 2-2.
Marcus Rashford scored the vital goal in the 107th minute, however, to send Man United into the semi-finals with a 2-1 victory on the night.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Europa League coverage continues from Old Trafford as Manchester United welcome Anderlecht for the second leg of their quarter-final. The two teams played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg last week, meaning that this last-eight fixture is delicately poised. Be sure to stay tuned for all of the action from Old Trafford. Can Anderlecht upset the tournament favourites here?
Henrikh Mkhitaryan sent Man United ahead in the 37th minute of the first leg last week, and in truth, the Premier League outfit were the far superior team on the night. Anderlecht found a route back into the tie in the 86th minute, however, courtesy of a smart header from Leander Dendoncker. Man United are the favourites to progress, but Anderlecht have given themselves some hope.
Tonight will be the eighth meeting between these two teams in European competition, and it is Man United that lead the head-to-head three victories to Anderlecht's two. Their last two fixtures – before the first leg - came in the first group stage of the 2000-01 Champions League, with Man United recording a 5-1 victory on home soil, but losing 2-1 in Brussels one month later.
Before 2000, they had actually not met in European competition since the 1968 European Champions Clubs' Cup, with Man United emerging from their round two affair. It is not exactly a famous fixture in terms of European football, but try telling that to the Anderlecht supporters here.
The lads are in the building! 🔴 #MUFC #UEL pic.twitter.com/PcmG9H7uMR — Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 20, 2017
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Old Trafford. Both of these teams were in league action at the weekend – Man United beating Premier League Chelsea 2-0 in this stadium, while Anderlecht recorded a 1-0 victory at KV Oostende.
TEAMS!
MAN UNITED: Romero; Valencia, Bailly, Rojo, Shaw; Carrick, Pogba; Rashford, Mkhitaryan, Lingard; Ibrahimovic
ANDERLECHT: Ruben; Appiah, Mbodji, Spajic, Obradovic; Chipciu, Tielemans, Dendoncker, Hanni, Acheampong; Teodorczyk
Man United boss Jose Mourinho has made five changes to the team that started against Chelsea at the weekend, with Sergio Romero, Luke Shaw, Michael Carrick, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all coming into the XI. Attacking duo Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford both keep their spots, however, while there is a place on the bench for fit-again club captain Wayne Rooney.
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As for Anderlecht, the visitors have leading scorer Lukasz Teodorczyk, who was only deemed fit enough for the bench last week, back in their XI. Sofiane Hanni, Uros Spajic and Alexandru Chipciu, meanwhile, are also given a starting roles as head coach Rene Weiler shuffles his pack from the first leg in Brussels. Reported Man United target Youri Tielemans continues in central midfield.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Manchester. I shall speak about the away side a little bit later, but let's start with the hosts. Indeed, Mkhitaryan's away goal in the first leg last week has made Mourinho's side the favourites to advance to the semi-finals of the Europa League tonight. Can they finish the job at Old Trafford?
The Red Devils will enter this match full of confidence after recording a 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. Mourinho's side are still fifth in the table, but they are still very much in the argument for a top-four finish this season. As it stands, four points separate them from fourth-place Man City, who have played one game more. Next Thursday, those two meet at the Etihad.
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This season is actually Man United's first appearance in the quarter-finals of this particular European competition since 1985, when Ron Atkinson's side lost on penalties to Hungarian outfit Videoton. The Europa League is the only UEFA trophy that has eluded Man United, and it might well be their best passage into the group stage of the 2017-18 Champions League.
In terms of this competition, Man United booked their spot in the first knockout round after finishing second behind Fenerbahce in Group A. They actually lost two of their six group fixtures, but ultimately ended the section five points clear of third-place Feyenoord to make the next stage.
Saint-Etienne were comfortably dispatched in the round of 32, with Man United winning 3-0 at home and 1-0 away to advance into the round of 16. Another favourable draw arrived as they were paired with Rostov, and a 1-1 draw in the first leg set them up to finish the job at Old Trafford. It was not exactly comfortable in the return, but a 1-0 success was enough to see Mourinho's side advance.
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There have been too many draws for Man United this season – especially at Old Trafford – but they have actually only lost two times in 2017. The first of those came in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final against Hull City – when they still advanced – while they lost 1-0 at Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in March. Their last defeat in the league, meanwhile, was back in October.
Man United have actually won all five of their Old Trafford games in Europe this season – conceding just once in the process. They are also unbeaten in 16 UEFA home games since a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the 2012-13 Champions League. Will that impressive run of form continue tonight?
As for Anderlecht, the Belgian outfit are competing in the quarter-finals of a European competition for the first time since the 1996-97 UEFA Cup, when they lost to Italian giants Inter Milan.
Warming-up ! #RSCA #COYM #UEL #MUFCAND pic.twitter.com/bU2pqx4uAQ — RSC Anderlecht (@rscanderlecht) April 20, 2017
Rene Weiler's side booked their spot in the knockout round of this season's competition after finishing second behind French outfit Saint-Etienne in Group C. They won three, drew two and lost one of their six fixtures, but their sole defeat came at home to Saint-Etienne, who Man United comfortably overcame in the first knockout round of this season's competition.
Anderlecht recorded a 2-0 victory at home to Zenit in the first leg of their last-32 clash, and booked their spot in the round of 16 on away goals despite suffering a 3-1 defeat in Russia. It was more comfortable for the Belgian side in the last round, however, as they beat APOEL 1-0 home and away to ensure that they would advance into the final eight, setting up a quarter-final with Man United.
Man United are the favourites tonight, but Anderlecht have only lost once in seven European away games this season – recording three wins in the process. They have also scored at least once in all of those matches, suggesting that they will find the back of the net at least once tonight.
8 - Jose Mourinho has won his last eight European home games as manager, including all five with Man Utd this season. Stronghold. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 20, 2017
Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes of action. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. There is just something about European nights at Old Trafford. Let's hope for an entertaining game of football!
KICKOFF! Man United kick things off on home soil...
... just a reminder that Anderlecht need to score tonight in order to stand a chance of making the semi-finals. A goalless draw would take Man United through courtesy of their away goal last week. I would be very surprised if there were not goals tonight though with so many attacking players on display!
Lingard pokes a dangerous low cross into the Anderlecht box, but Mbodji clears his lines.
CLOSE! Wow! A sensational strike from Dendoncker just misses the Man United crossbar! It came from nowhere, and it almost landed in the top corner of the home side's net.
Possession football from Man United in the last couple of minutes as they start to move the ball from side to side. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight.
Not an awful lot for the Man United supporters to get excited about in the opening seven minutes, and Anderlecht will be pleased with their start as they continue to enjoy decent possession. Tielemans and Dendoncker have had the better of the midfield battle in the early exchanges here.
Hanni finds Teodorczyk with a super pass behind the Man United defence, but the big striker cannot collect, and the home side can clear their lines. Nervy moments for the English side!
GOAL! Man United 1-0 Anderlecht (Mkhitaryan)
Breakthrough! Man United take the lead in the 10th minute at Old Trafford as Mkhitaryan smashes the ball past Ruben after being found by Rashford inside the Anderlecht box. A wonderful pass from Pogba had released Rashford, and Mkhitaryan has now scored 10 times for Man United this term.
BOOKING! Tielemans (Anderlecht) is booked for a foul on Rashford.
SAVE! Sensational save from Ruben to keep out Pogba's header!
SAVE! Another super stop from Ruben to keep out a bending Lingard effort!
Anderlecht are under some serious pressure at the moment as Man United continue to force the issue in the final third of the field. The visitors just cannot seem to keep the ball as it stands.
Better from Anderlecht as Hanni breaks down the right before delivering a dangerous cross towards Acheampong, but Valencia deals with the danger before Romero rises to collect the high ball. It must be said that the opening 17 minutes of this match have flown past. It is flowing very well.
Rojo stays down for Man United after stretching in a challenge with Chipciu.
Rojo is still down holding his knee, which is very worrying for the Argentine, and Man United.
Rojo is back on his feet, and it does appear that he will be able to continue, which is brilliant news. The last thing that Man United need at this stage of the season is another injury to a centre-back.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the visitors to level as Acheampong breaks through after beating Rojo to the ball, but the attacker sends his effort wide of the post!
Rojo is down once again, and Blind is ready to enter the field.
MAN UNITED SUB! Blind replaces Rojo for Man United.
Hopefully Rojo's injury is something that the Argentine can shake off, but he had to leave the field on a stretcher, which suggests that there is a potentially serious problem. Anderlecht continue to enjoy decent possession of the ball as they look to hit back on the night following Mkhitaryan's opener.
CHANCE! Another super chance for the away side as Dendoncker pops up in a dangerous position inside the Man United box, but the young midfielder sends his effort just wide of the post!
Anderlecht have a free kick in a dangerous area as Pogba brings Hanni to the deck...
... Romero steps across to keep out Tielemans's set piece.
Half-chance for Man United as Shaw breaks down the left before delivering a dangerous cross towards Lingard, but the Englishman cannot make contact. Super work from Shaw there.
GOAL! Man United 1-1 Anderlecht (Hanni)
Anderlecht level the scores at Old Trafford as Hanni smashes the ball home from close range after Tielemans had an effort deflected onto the crossbar and the home side failed to clear their lines. It is a bit of a horror show from the home side at the back, and we are now all level in this tie.
It is the away supporters making all of the noise at the moment as their team continue to boss this second leg. Man United started very well, but it has gone wrong since Mkhitaryan netted here.
SAVE! Ruben has to keep out a near-post effort from Rashford after the Man United striker had used his stunning pace to break into the Anderlecht box!
Pogba sends one into orbit after having a go from outside the box.
Lingard sends a low effort just wide of the far post, but the offside flag had been raised. It has been an incredible first 45 minutes at Old Trafford, and we are all square in this quarter-final. Another goal for Anderlecht, however, would place the Belgian side in a very strong position here.
SAVE! Ruben keeps out Shaw's low effort from inside the Anderlecht box.
It is the away supporters making all of the noise at the moment, with Anderlecht impressing in Manchester. Man United have had a bit more of the ball in the last couple of minutes, although the away side are pretty comfortable at the back. Somehow this game has turned against Man United.
OVER! Mkhitaryan sends the ball over the crossbar after collecting a flick from Pogba. Much better from Man United, but that might be the final chance of the first period.
We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period.
Nervy moment for Man United as Hanni beats Romero to a loose ball inside the home side's box, but the ball just runs away from the goalscorer. Another example of the Anderlecht confidence.
HALF-TIME: Man United 1-1 Anderlecht (2-2 on aggregate)
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Mkhitaryan sent Man United into a 10th-minute lead at Old Trafford, but Anderlecht were level in the 32nd minute through Hanni. We are all square in the tie at 2-2. All to play for in the second period.
STATISTICS! Man United have just about shaded the possession with 53%, while they have had eight attempts - five of which were on target. Anderlecht, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their six attempts in the opening 45 minutes. Just the one booking - Tielemans in the 11th minute.
BENCH WATCH! Man United have a very strong bench tonight, with the likes of Fellaini, Herrera, Martial, Rooney and Young all capable of making a difference. The Red Devils have already been forced into one change, however, with Blind replacing the injured Rojo in the 23rd minute. Anderlecht boss Weiler, meanwhile, has attacking options in the shape of Bruno, Capel, Stanciu and Thelin.
RESTART! Anderlecht resume the action at Old Trafford...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops at Old Trafford.
CHANCE! Teodorczyk breaks into a one-on-one situation with Romero, but Valencia is back to block the striker's effort as Anderlecht come close to taking the lead in this tie.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Man United to take the lead as Shaw breaks into the Anderlecht box before putting the ball on a plate for Lingard, but the attacker cannot make contact!
End-to-end football in the last couple of minutes as both teams commit players in the final third of the field. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this quarter-final.
Chipciu sends a low effort wide of the post as Anderlecht threaten once again.
Sensational work from Mkhitaryan as the Armenian turns clear of two Anderlecht players before sliding a pass into Ibrahimovic, but Mbodji is on hand to make the block. The visitors then break down the other end and have a half-chance through Teodorczyk, but Romero makes the save.
Ibrahimovic breaks into the Anderlecht box, but the big Swede is ruled offside.
Little over 30 minutes of normal time remaining at Old Trafford, and as it stands, we are heading for extra-time in this quarter-final affair. Still plenty of time for one of these teams to grab the match, however, and one goal for Anderlecht would leave Man United needing two to advance.
MAN UNITED SUB! Fellaini replaces Lingard for the home side.
Anderlecht are preparing to make their first change of the match here as the second period continues to develop. The Belgian side have been very impressive at Old Trafford tonight.
Rashford has one deflected over the crossbar as Man United enjoy a period of pressure.
SAVE! Ruben keeps out a close-range header from Fellaini.
ANDERLECHT SUBS! Hanni and Chipciu are replaced by Stanciu and Bruno.
WIDE! Rashford sends one wide of the Anderlecht post!
Little over 20 minutes of normal time remaining at Old Trafford, and we are still level at 2-2 in this Europa League quarter-final. It is advantage Anderlecht, however, who would leave Man United needing two goals if they manage to register. It is so delicately poised at this stage of the contest.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Rashford as the Man United forward takes advantage of a mistake from Mbodji before rounding Ruben, but the England international takes it too wide and the chance is gone! What an incredible opportunity for the home side to take the lead.
SAVE! Incredible save from Ruben to keep out a close-range effort from Ibrahimovic, who found all sorts of space inside the Anderlecht box. He just had to score!
Ibrahimovic goes down inside the Anderlecht box, but no spot kick.
End-to-end football at Old Trafford as both teams continue to commit numbers in the final third of the field. Surely something has to give in the final 15 minutes of normal time tonight.
Good pressure from Man United in the last couple of minutes here.
Brilliant from Rashford once again, but Spajic is on hand to clear ahead of Pogba.
MISS! Incredible miss from Pogba as the Frenchman somehow turns over the crossbar from barely three yards out. Quite incredible miss from the midfielder there.
ANDERLECHT SUB! Thelin replaces Teodorczyk for the away side.
Ibrahimovic sends his effort wide of the post as Man United miss another decent opportunity. More wasteful finishing from the English champions, and it might well cost them in this tie.
MISS! Another incredible miss from Ibrahimovic as the Swede fires wide after super work from Carrick in the final third of the field. Another night of missed chances here.
Acheampong goes down for Anderlecht, but the visitors have made all three changes here.
Acheampong returns to the field, and play continues with 85 minutes on the clock.
Rashford has the ball in the back of the net, but the England international is ruled offside.
Another home draw for Man United? Not that the draw matters, but just a point to make.
All Man United at the moment as the Red Devils continue to pass and probe.
CHANCE! Rashford hits the side-netting as another chance is missed!
We are into the first of two additional minutes here.
Rashford looks to find Shaw inside the Anderlecht box, but Spajic is on hand to make the challenge, and the centre-back wins a free kick in the process. That should be the end of 90 minutes here.
END OF 90 MINUTES: Man United 1-1 Anderlecht (2-2 on aggregate)
Ibrahimovic is in all sorts of trouble here following a nasty fall. I doubt he can continue here.
The stretcher has been called for Ibrahimovic as he lays on the Old Trafford turf following that nasty fall. The striker's knee bent backwards, and it could well be his season over after that.
MAN UNITED SUB! Martial replaces Ibrahimovic for Man United.
It is almost a 4-4-2 for Man United now as Martial plays through the middle with Fellaini. Anderlecht are very deep in the early stages of extra-time as the home side dominate the ball.
CHANCE! Rashford's rabona sets up Pogba, but his over-head kick is blocked!
WIDE! Obradovic's curling effort deflects just wide of the Man United post!
Stanciu fires into the stands following a clever corner from Anderlecht.
Possession from Man United as they continue to look for a second goal here.
BOOKING! Appiah (Anderlecht) is booked for a hack on Rashford.
Rashford delivers a super free kick towards Fellaini, but the Belgian's header is blocked!
More pressure from Man United, but Anderlecht's two centre-backs have been so good here.
Anderlecht continue to come under serious pressure at Old Trafford.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Pogba fires home for Man United, but Fellaini is penalised for a push inside the Anderlecht box.
Anderlecht have hardly had a kick in extra-time, but it is still 1-1 on the night, 2-2 on aggregate.
Rashford has another shot blocked as the relentless pressure continues.
SAVE! Romero saves a long-range effort from Tielemans, and manages to gather at the second attempt under pressure from a couple of advancing players!
HALF-TIME EXTRA-TIME: Man United 1-1 Anderlecht
RESTART! Anderlecht resume the play here...
... Anderlecht are playing for penalties at this stage, there is no question about that.
GOAL! Man United 2-1 Anderlecht (Rashford)
Finally! Man United take the lead in the 107th minute of this match as Rashford finds the bottom corner with a low effort after creating some space inside the box. What a moment!
SAVE! Ruben gets down to keep out a strike from Pogba.
Just a reminder that one goal for Anderlecht at this stage would actually see the Belgian side take the lead in the tie. It is all Man United, however, as the home side seek a third goal here.
Anderlecht are playing five up front at the moment as the visitors threaten.
SAVE! Romero keeps out a close-range header from Acheampong!
Desperate defending from Man United as they survive some very dangerous moments.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Martial's effort is ruled offside.
CLOSE! Mbodji heads over the crossbar at the far post!
FULL-TIME: Man United 2-1 Anderlecht (Man United win 3-2 on aggregate)
What a night! Man United progress to the semi-finals of the Europa League after a 2-1 victory over Anderlecht secures a 3-2 aggregate success overall. Incredible game of football at Old Trafford. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for another night of European action. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
