Lindelof Shines as Man Utd Beat Granada 2-0; Greenwood Struggles in Europa League First Leg

Manchester United came away from the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Granada with a 2-0 win on Thursday night. The Manchester Evening News player ratings gave the highest mark, an 8, to a defender: Victor Lindelof.

Lindelof's night had two parts. He supplied the pass that set up Marcus Rashford's goal, and he covered for Harry Maguire when Yangel Herrera got the better of his centre-back partner. Maguire, by the ratings' account, had a largely calm evening beside Lindelof apart from one lapse, and he showed some adventure in the final third a couple of times. He got a 7.

Rashford scored what the ratings call a superb goal after overcoming apparent discomfort early on. He was substituted just after the hour and was rated 7. United's second came from the penalty spot. Bruno Fernandes won it and converted it, but he was marked down to a 6 for complaining too much in the first half and for barely threatening in the second until the penalty.

Behind them, David de Gea dealt with straight but firm shots from Kenedy without fault. He had no proper save to make, and was given a 7. Aaron Wan-Bissaka also earned a 7 for composure in his own third, which the ratings suggest he should carry into the final third more often.

The night had a cost. Luke Shaw, steady as usual, was booked and will miss the second leg. He was replaced at half-time by Alex Telles, who was rated 7 for his work from dead balls and open play. Scott McTominay, who shielded the back four alongside Paul Pogba and later Nemanja Matic, is also banned for next week's return. Pogba picked up an early yellow card and seemed inhibited by it. The ratings say the card-happy referee played a part in his removal in the second half, and he got a 6. Matic, who came on, was booked in turn, a booking the ratings call harsh, and he got a 5.

Mason Greenwood had the toughest evening, with a 4, the lowest mark. The ratings call him still too raw to lead the line well: often isolated, and naive when the ball did reach him. He moved to the right to make room for Edinson Cavani, who finally featured in the Europa League for United and was rated 6, more experienced than the teenager he replaced. Daniel James, also on 6, looked a threat mainly off the ball. He seemed restricted on the right wing and livelier on the left. Donny van de Beek made another cameo and was given a 5.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was rated 7. The ratings say keeping faith with Rashford was vindicated, as was the clear and obvious back four, even though Telles replaced Shaw at the break.

With Shaw and McTominay suspended, Solskjaer must reshuffle for the return leg in Granada next week, and how he does so will shape United's defence of a two-goal lead.