Manchester United are through to the semi-finals of the Europa League, but they made it hard for themselves against Anderlecht, being taken to extra-time at Old Trafford before Marcus Rashford’s goal settled the quarter-final tie.
United started well, having made five changes from the side that beat Chelsea on Sunday, and took the early lead. A beautiful ball from Paul Pogba sent Rashford through into the box. His first cut-back was blocked, but the second found Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who rifled his shot past Rubén to take the lead.
José Mourinho’s side then had several chances to extend the lead, before Sofiane Hanni equalised for Anderlecht after Youri Tielemans’ effort had deflected off the bar. Just before that however, United suffered a blow as Marcos Rojo went off with injury.
And another blow followed at full-time, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic went off with what looked to be a serious hyperextension of the knee after landing awkwardly. With United misfiring in front of goal once again, it looked to be a long night for everyone involved with the club.
But up stepped Rashford, collecting Marouane Fellaini’s knock-down, wriggling past two Anderlecht defender and curling the ball past Rubén’s fingertips in the second period of extra-time, ensuring that United’s road to Stockholm continued.
Here are the player ratings after a dramatic night of football:
