Manchester United edge into Europa League semi-finals, Antonio Conte helps Chelsea's Kai Havertz pursuit

[ad_1]

Manchester United have booked their place within the Europa League semi-finals however had been made to work very arduous for his or her 1-Zero win in opposition to FC Copenhagen in Cologne.

Regardless of peppering the objective of Karl-Johan Johnsson, the Crimson Devils wanted extra-time to get previous their Danish opponents – Bruno Fernandes finally getting the winner.

Anthony Martial was felled in the box — Anthony Martial was felled within the field

And Fernandes duly stuck away the spot-kick — And Fernandes duly caught away the spot-kick

The Portuguese expertly tucked away a penalty within the first interval of extra-time after Anthony Martial was hauled down by Andreas Bjelland.

It means their might be an all-English semi-final tie subsequent Monday, however that may solely occur if Wolves can get previous Sevilla on Tuesday, a match you’ll be able to hearken to LIVE on talkSPORT (kick-off 8pm).

United struggled to discover a rhythm within the stifling Cologne warmth however had the higher of the probabilities, with VAR ruling out a penalty after which Mason Greenwood’s emphatic strike within the first half.

Greenwood thought he’d given United the lead but the goal was correctly disallowed by VAR — Greenwood thought he’d given United the lead however the objective was accurately disallowed by VAR

Marcus Rashford noticed a objective dominated out for offside earlier than Fernandes hit a put up within the second interval, with Anthony Martial beautifully denied as regulation time wound down.

The match was on a knife edge as play headed into extra-time, which was simply 5 minutes previous when Fernandes scored from a spot-kick gained by Martial.

Copenhagen retained hope as goalkeeper Johnsson produced a string of very good saves and Victor Lindelof grew to become the most recent to hit the objective body, however there was to be no late leveller for Stale Solbakken’s dogged facet.

Fernandes is United’s hero once again — Fernandes is United’s hero as soon as once more

The opposite Monday evening Europa League tie noticed Inter Milan get the higher of Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in Dusseldorf.

Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku put Antonio Conte’s facet 2-Zero up earlier than Kai Havertz pulled one again later within the second half.

Leverkusen’s exit from the competitors might clear Chelsea’s path to signal Havertz, who has been in comparison with German soccer icon Michael Ballack.