Manchester United vs Anderlecht - as it happened: Marcus Rashford strikes in extra-time to end Belgian's resistance
Relive all of the action from the Europa League quarter-final
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United progressed to the semi-finals of the Europa League with an extra-time win over a dogged Anderlecht.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan gave the home side the lead within the first ten minutes and United looked to be on course for an easy win.
But Sofiane Hanni leveled the scores, leaving United to require an extra-time goal from Marcus Rashford to progress to the last four.
Relive all of the action below.
What time is kick-off?
The match starts will begin at 8.05pm.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be shown on BT Sport 2.
Preview
Jose Mourinho decided to rest his star men Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan for their Premier League clash with Chelsea on Sunday, in a huge risk that happened to pay off. With a crucial mid-week tie at home to Belgian side Anderlecht lurking and with Zlatan's game-time requiring careful management (he has already appeared 45 times for the club this season), a rest could only be a good thing.
United will be without Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Juan Mata, who all miss out due to injury. But Wayne Rooney will likely return to the bench, after the striker recovered from an ankle injury. United will be in a jubilant mood following their 2-0 win over Chelsea and we can expect them to come down hard on the Belgian side as seek a spot in the semi-finals.
Anderlecht currently sit top of the Jupiler League and have not lost in their past seven matches. A win over United would give them their first semi-finals in a European competition since 1990. At first glance it looks a tall ask for the Belgian side, who don’t boast the class or big names that United possess, but having forced a 1-1 draw at home in the first leg, the tie remains open.
It’s a big game for…
Luke Shaw. The defender may be given a chance to finally prove himself under Jose Mourinho. He wasn’t in Mourinho’s starting eleven against Chelsea on Sunday and could well be given a chance this evening, Shaw will have a lot of work to do to counter the recent criticism of him by the United boss.
Remember when...
Tomasz Radzinski scored both goals for the Belgians in a famous 2-1 win?
Player to watch…
Marcus Rashford. The young striker may have big shoes to fill next season. It has yet to be decided where Zlatan will be next season and Rashford may be next in line for the throne should the Swede choose not to remain at United.
Rashford had a cracking game against Chelsea where he stunned the Premier League leaders with the opening goal. He is a man in form and will pose a stern test to the Anderlecht defence.
Form…
Manchester United: WDWDDW
Anderlecht: WDDWWW
Odds…
Manchester United to win: 11/50
Draw: 5/1
Anderlecht to win: 12/1
101 mins: MANCHESTER UNITED SCOR- no!
Fellaini wins the ball in the box and nods it down into the path of Pogba, who storms his way into the box and slams it past Ruben at close range.
He wheels away to celebrate, but the whistle has gone. Fellaini is judged to have pushed the defender prior to winning the ball, and it's an Anderlecht free-kick.
103 mins: Martial looks to cut in from the left but is stopped in his tracks by Appiah. 2 minutes left until half-time in extra-time.
104 mins: Out of nothing, Anderlecht go close! The exciting young talent Tielemans has a pop from distance and Romero is unable to catch the ball, instead parrying it into his six-yard box. Thelin almost grabs the rebound but the keeper pounces on it just in time.
HALF-TIME IN EXTRA-TIME: Manchester United 1 Anderlecht 1
Phew!
H/T in E/T stats:
Possession: Manchester United 62%-38% Anderlecht
Shots: Manchester United 20-15 Anderlecht
Shots on target: Manchester United 8-5 Anderlecht
Corners: Manchester United 11-6 Anderlecht
Fouls: Manchester United 12-8 Anderlecht
GOAL! Manchester United 2 Anderlecht 1 (Rashford 107)
Finally, Rashford has done it!
109 mins: The tactic of punting it long to Fellaini in the box was always going to pay off eventually. The Belgian nods a long ball down to Rashford in the box, although the young forward still has a lot of work to do.
He backheels the ball onto his left and edges into space, and shoots low past Ruben, into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. A fine finish.
There will be no penalty shootout this evening!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments