Cristiano Ronaldo netted on his return to Manchester United’s starting line-up as his side eased to a three-goal victory over FC Sheriff Tiraspol.
Diogo Dalot opened the scoring two minutes before the break as he headed home Christian Eriksen’s corner, before half-time substitute Marcus Rashford doubled United’s advantage midway through the second half with a powerful header. Ronaldo wrapped up the scoring with ten minutes remaining, lashing the ball home after his initial header was saved.
The victory means that United have mathematically qualified for the knockout stages of the competition – but will need to win by two goals away to Real Sociedad on the final matchday to ensure they win the group and avoid a Round of 32 clash. Here are six talking points from Old Trafford.
Ronaldo scores on return
All eyes were on Cristiano Ronaldo tonight after he was exiled from United’s first-team squad after refusing to come on as a substitute in last week’s win over Tottenham. He left the stadium early that night and was left out of the squad to face Chelsea at the weekend.
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Ten Hag restored the Portuguese star to the centre of his attack for tonight’s clash and after an evening of frustration in front of goal – were the 37-year-old’s finishing was wayward – he finally found the net with ten minutes remaining, lashing home from close-range after his initial header was saved – his third goal of the campaign.
Rashford ends mini goal drought
Marcus Rashford has been entrusted as the main striker by boss Erik ten Hag this season and so far he is returning his coach’s faith – his headed goal here was his sixth of the campaign.
That has surpassed the striker’s entire tally from last season – comfortably the least productive and most frustrating of his career – and is a further sign of his resurgence. A half-time substitute here, his powerful header from Luke Shaw’s cross was impressive.
It also ended a mini drought of five matches without a goal for the 24-year-old, who will celebrate his birthday on Monday – this was an early present.
Garnacho thrives on senior debut
Argentine youth international Alejandro Garnacho was handed his first start of his senior club career – and he impressed in an attacking position from the left.
The 18-year-old is highly rated within Old Trafford having arrived from Atletico Madrid over two years ago, and he has starred for the club’s youth teams since. His senior debut came against Chelsea at the tail end of last season’s Premier League campaign, but this was his first start in a Red Devils shirt.
Time and time again, the skilful yet combative teen evaded challenges from the wing, jinking past opponents before making a dangerous delivery into the box. Garnacho’s 78-minute cameo did not include a goal or assist, but his reputation will have grown after this performance.
Dalot breaks resistance
In United’s previous Europa League group stage match, Ten Hag’s side peppered Omonia Nicosia’s goal with a remarkable 33 efforts without finding the net. It was number 34, Scott McTominay’s angled effort in the third minute of added time, that finally broke the Cypriot side’s resistance.
United did not have to wait quite so long this time around as Dalot headed home Eriksen’s corner two minutes before the break. It was just the full-back’s second ever goal for the club, and allowed the home side to breathe a little easier for the remainder of the game.
Eriksen unpicks the lock
Dalot’s headed goal came from Eriksen’s pinpoint inswinging corner, which was perfectly delivered into the centre of Sheriff’s penalty area and was almost impossible to defend. The Denmark international was signed precisely for his ingenuity, which he has continued to show.
Eriksen is already racking up his direct goal assists at United and adds an added element of control and calmness to United’s central midfield – which had badly lacked such qualities in recent seasons. The Dane is not without limitations, but he appears to be an ideal fit in this United team with his signing already appearing to be an unqualified success.
Antony’s showboating irritates pundits
Antony has provided some stunning moments in his fledgling Manchester United career, having netted on his debut against Arsenal and subsequently scored against Man City and Everton.
The Brazilian did not have his most impactful performance during the game, with his most eye-catching moment coming as he performed a double pirouette on the ball – before playing a pass towards the penalty area in the direction of the onrushing Casemiro, but it went straight out of play.
BT Sport co-commentator Robbie Savage fumed of the incident: "If I was a manager I'd drag him off." Pundit Paul Scholes added: "I don't know what he's doing. It's ridiculous. It's showboating. But that's the way he plays I've seen him do it at Ajax as well. I think he needs that knocking out of him."
The Brazilian was substituted off at half-time – with Marcus Rashford his replacement – although it is likely that such a move was pre-planned ahead of United’s weekend clash against West Ham.
