Manchester United cruised to a 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Erik ten Hag’s side had to work hard to break down the Moldovan outfit, who had set up in a 5-4-1 formation to frustrate the hosts, but goals from Diogo Dalot, Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo helped secure a victory which sees the Red Devils progress to the knockout stage.
Ahead of tonight’s match, the return of Ronaldo to the starting eleven grabbed most of the headlines, with the Portuguese superstar having been absent since leaving Old Trafford early as United beat Tottenham Hotspur. However, it was a superstar in the making that left United fans buzzing in the aftermath.
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Alejandro Garnacho was a continuous threat for the home side, showing the same sort of twinkle toes seen in a young Ronaldo before his astonishing rise. It may seem harsh, but at times he looked like the man United thought they were getting in Jadon Sancho before his move to Manchester, when he was tearing up the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund.
Ten Hag told BT Sport before the game that the Spaniard “has a bit of the X-Factor” and after witnessing his first start for the club, it’s hard to disagree with the Dutch manager.
He’s only 18-years-old, so is unlikely to become a mainstay in this United side for the foreseeable future, but Garnacho’s glitzy introduction has given Ten Hag’s men another dimension in attack; a welcome bonus as they look to turn up the heat in the Premier League title race and bag silverware on the European front.
For a while it looked like it might be one of those nights as a host of chances came to nothing in a dominant first half. Some great play from Garnacho on the left-hand side of the box saw him beat his man and play a lovely ball across goal to Ronaldo, but Stjepan Radeljic was able to clear behind for a corner.
Ronaldo should have put his side ahead when headed through on goal by Bruno Fernandes but, from only a few yards out, the veteran could only toe poke the ball towards the hands of Maksym Koval.
Sheriff, who have never beaten an English team in European competition, had a golden opportunity to take the lead when a wonderful cross was whipped in from the left towards Rasheed Akanbi, but he couldn't connect his head with the ball from six yards out.
Following that scare, United finally got their breakthrough courtesy of Dalot’s second goal for the club on the stroke of half-time. The Portuguese right-back latched onto a Christian Eriksen corner to head home and give the locals a welcome lead going into the break.
Right on half-time, the home side lead 1-0... 🔴⚫️
#UEL
Harry Maguire made his long-awaited return to action for the second-half, replacing Lisandro Martinez, as Antony made way for Rashford.
On the hour mark, Ronaldo missed another gilt edged opportunity, collecting the ball on the edge of the box before cutting back onto his right foot and firing well off target. He thought he had got his name on the scoresheet shortly after, smashing the ball into the roof of the net after once again being played through by his compatriot Fernandes, but the linesman’s flag was up.
United got a deserved second moments later through Rashford. The English forward found himself on the end of a scintillating cross from Luke Shaw and made no mistake to head home.
Garnacho made his exit ten minutes from time, replaced by Donny van de Beek, to a tremendous round of applause. We dare say that won’t be the last time that happens in his career.
Mercifully, Ronaldo finally got his reward to make it 3-0 and, after a difficult few weeks, the relief on his face was plain to see. The 37-year-old was initially denied by Koval from a header, but he reacted sharply to follow it up and wrap up the win.
Next up in Group E for Manchester United is a trip to Estadio Anoeta to face Real Sociedad in a winner takes all final group game. The Spanish outfit are currently top of the group, three points clear of United, with a superior goal difference of three.
Earlier tonight, Arsenal failed to secure top spot in Group A after losing 2-0 at PSV Eindhoven while in the Europa Conference League, West Ham United beat Silkeborg 1-0 at the London Stadium thanks to a Manuel Lanzini penalty.
