A neat finish from Marcus Rashford and a penalty from Bruno Fernandes powered Manchester United to a 2-0 victory over Granada on Thursday in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinal, putting them firmly in charge of the tie.

Centre-back Victor Lindelof hooved an inch-perfect ball for Rashford, who latched onto the long ball and slotted it home in the first half. Finally, Fernandes made it two for the visitors in the 90th minute at the Los Carmenes.

The result gives United a commanding lead heading into the second leg next week at Old Trafford, where they should finish the job and book their place in the semi-final to face the winner of the tie between Ajax and Roma, where the Italians are leading 2-1 after the first leg.

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“It’s a clean sheet and David (de Gea) wasn’t really troubled,” said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, AFP reported. “There were moments that could have been chances but I thought we defended well when we had to and I think 2-0 is a good lead.”

Rashford has now scored eight of United’s 23 goals in Europe this season.

“It was a very good run and he takes the ball fantastically,” said Solskjaer.

On their 90-year anniversary week, Granada played arguably their biggest fixture in Europe against a club that has claimed 20 Premier League titles and three European Cups.

This is something of a fairytale for the Spanish club that finished 10th in the second division only three years ago before coach Diego Martinez, arguably La Liga’s brightest up and coming prospect, engineered promotion and then qualification for Europe.

Although the Los Carmenes was empty, Granada sent all their season ticket holders a personalised ticket as a souvenir to mark the occasion.

But it will take a momentous come back next week for them to turn this tie around at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.

“I think the result is a harsh punishment for what happened in the game,” said Martinez. “The last goal hurts, it hurts a lot.”

For United, the Europa League remains Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s only realistic hope of a trophy and with a place in the top four all-but-guaranteed, he can afford to give it his full attention.

Solskjaer fielded a strong line-up, with Rashford handed a start despite coming off against Brighton on Sunday with a knock. David de Gea was picked in goal for the first time since February.

Granada had Roberto Soldado leading the line — the 35-year-old striker who endured two disappointing seasons with Tottenham in the Premier League but tasted victory against United in his last appearance for them in 2014.

The game had a frantic opening period as both teams negated each others blows, however, Rashford dropped the first bit of real precision into the match just after half an hour.

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Lindelof spotted his run in behind but Rashford still had a lot to do, his outstretched foot cushioning the ball perfectly into his path and giving him a simple finish past Rui Silva.

But Granada soon responded. A mishit cross from Yangel Herrera, on loan from Manchester City, hitting the post before Kenedy tested De Gea with a well-struck volley.

However, United absorbed the pressure and should have scored a second when Daniel James burst through down the left and slipped in Fernandes, but he was unable to find the finish from the angle.

Later, Fernandes drew a foul from Yan Eteki to win a penalty and placed a scuffed shot squirming into the bottom corner to put United in sight of the semis.