'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 A valiant effort from Granada
Not many would have expected LaLiga's midtable club Granada to go as far as they eventually did in the UEL, their first-ever adventure in Europe. Beginning their campaign in the second qualifying round all the way back in September 2020, the Andalusian side have had an excellent journey as they made their way to the last eight of the competition.
Their biggest surprise was, perhaps, the result against SSC Napoli in the round of 32. On-loan Premier League stars Kenedy and Yangel Herrera, on loan from Chelsea and Manchester City respectively, came up clutch for Granada as they beat Gennaro Gattuso's side by an aggregate scoreline of 3-2 to head into the last 16.
Even across both legs against Manchester United, Granada left a great account of themselves and rued their wastefulness in front of goal.
At Old Trafford, Herrera was on the receiving end of two brilliant headed chances inside the opening 20 minutes from two set-pieces. They then carved out another set-piece opportunity, this time for Jorge Molina, but the substitute failed to trouble David de Gea. Perhaps on another day, the Spanish side could have caused an upset, but beating the Premier League giants on their own turf proved to be too much of an ask for Granada.
It isn't hard to see why Diego Martinez, currently the youngest manager in LaLiga, is being monitored by clubs across Europe. The 40-year-old took Granada from Spain's second division to the Europa League quarter-finals in just two years, where the Nazaries bowed out having given their all. A truly beautiful story for the Andalusian club.
#2 Another smooth display from Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba has had a superb campaign for Manchester United so far, but has begun to thrive even more in his relatively new role for the club. Solskjaer has often toyed with playing Pogba on the left of the three men behind the centre-forward and, just days after a Man of the Match display against Tottenham Hotspur, this move paid off once again.
Despite only playing for 45 minutes, the French superstar registered the joint-most key passes, dribbles, aerials won, and made more tackles than any player on the pitch (five). Most importantly for Solskjaer and the Red Devils, he provided the assist for Edinson Cavani's opener.
On a night where they didn't need much to progress, Pogba was handed a start in this attacking role, and he was simply unplayable during the first half.
He can be more expressive on the pitch playing off the left, much like he was at Old Trafford against Granada. The influx of creativity higher up the pitch has also taken the weight off Bruno Fernandes' shoulders to create chances relentlessly.
In fact, it was this role that Pogba played during their tight affair at the San Siro where he scored just minutes after coming on to send Manchester United into the last eight. The Frenchman's resurgence in this new role could play a huge part in the decision over his future at the club ahead of the summer.
#1 Manchester United must do everything possible to keep Edinson Cavani
Despite opting against signing a direct replacement for Romelu Lukaku in the summer of 2019, Solskjaer managed to bring the best out of Anthony Martial and help him achieve his career-best figures at Old Trafford. However, after a dismal campaign that has seen him score just seven times in over 30 games, Edinson Cavani has shown the Norwegian precisely what he's been missing so far.
The Uruguayan was sensational against Spurs at the weekend and made the difference for his side once again with a goal to kill the tie on Thursday night. Much like Pogba, he only played 45 minutes, but the impact he had was enough to fire Manchester United to victory and the next round of the competition.
Cavani gave the Red Devils the lead in the sixth minute as he latched onto a header from Paul Pogba. The Uruguayan judged the trajectory of the ball to perfection before lashing it past a helpless Rui Silva with a venomous left-footed volley. It was his the 34-year-old's 50th goal in UEFA competitions and ninth in a Manchester United shirt.
Even apart from the goals he's scored, he's shown Manchester United what an experienced and, for all intents and purposes, a pure number nine can offer their attack. A striker who can sniff out goals and knows where to be at any given moment. Rumours suggest Cavani wants out of Old Trafford due to family-related matters amidst the ongoing pandemic, which Solskjaer himself has addressed.
Losing Cavani would be a massive blow for the Norwegian and his Red Devils as he's had a superb impact on their side so far.
They need to do all they can to keep the South American at the club, and if he does leave, they must replace him with someone who can offer a similar threat. He showed the Red Devils what they could miss next season with another splendid showing in a United shirt.
Also read: Top 10 strikers in the world this season (2020/21)
