Manchester United needed an extra-time penalty from Bruno Fernandes to finally see off a spirited FC Copenhagen and set up a potential Europa League semi-final against Wolves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
United were poor for much of the first half in the heat of Cologne but still had a penalty overturned and a goal ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side improved and dominated the second half but could find no way past inspired goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson, with Fernandes and Mason Greenwood also each hitting the post and Marcus Rashford having another effort disallowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fernandes finally broke through in familiar style, keeping cool to drive in United’s 21st spot-kick of the season at the start of the extra period to extend their marathon season by another week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Johnsson was magnificent between the posts for Copenhagen – ending the night with 13 saves as United rained down 26 efforts on goal all told – while the Danish runners-up failed to have a single shot on target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
United – who won this competition four seasons ago – will now face either Premier League rivals Wolves or Europa League specialists Sevilla in the last four in Dusseldorf next Monday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three hundred and sixty-four days after Solskjaer started his first full season in charge of United, he is now two games away from a possible first trophy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The January signing of Fernandes has already delivered a third-placed finish and Champions League football and the Portuguese midfielder was again the eventual difference maker on a draining night in scorching heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The temperature was still 32C at kick-off at 9pm local time and United made a poor start – Fred’s error almost letting in Mohammed Daramy, before Brandon Williams had to head away from the goal-line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But despite their lethargy, United always carried a threat and were briefly awarded a penalty for a shove at a set-piece before VAR flagged an offside in the build-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Greenwood finished brilliantly off the far post but the strike was correctly called back for another offside before Solskjaer witnessed a far better second half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Greenwood fired against the post again, with his left foot this time, Rashford tapping in but again from an offside position before Fernandes thundered a shot against the opposite post from range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Johnsson’s individual showreel then threatened to throw a spanner in the works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps the Swedish keeper’s best save denied Anthony Martial, who eventually won the decisive penalty thanks to a push from former Brentford defender Andreas Bjelland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fernandes fired into the corner without his trademark hop on approach to ensure a 17th European semi-final for United.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BBC Sport<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Manchester United needed an extra-time penalty from Bruno Fernandes to finally see off a spirited FC Copenhagen and set up a potential Europa League semi-final against Wolves. United were poor for much of the first half in the heat of Cologne but still had a penalty overturned and a goal ruled out by the Video […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27983,"featured_media":17043,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_paywall_metabox":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[102],"tags":[967,966,965,968],"class_list":["post-17042","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-bruno-fernandes","tag-karl-johan-johnsson","tag-manchester-united","tag-mason-greenwood"],"yoast_head":"\n