Manchester United defeated Sheriff Tiraspol 3-0 in our fifth Europa League Group E match at Old Trafford.
Here are five takeaways from tonight’s game against Moldova’s league leaders.
With half-time looming and Erik ten Hag’s side not yet finding a way to break the deadlock, the Red Devils went ahead through an unlikely source.
United’s number 20 headed in Christian Eriksen’s corner to score his second goal for the Reds and his first European goal.
The former Porto man, who has started every game this season, scored his first goal for United against Tranmere Rovers in January 2020.
Among the four changes that Ten Hag made to the side that drew at Chelsea, our Argentinian wonderkid was handed his first senior start for the Reds.
The former Ajax manager said United’s number 49 had impressed in training and expected the teenager to bring the x-factor to his side’s play.
The pacey 18-year-old breezed past Sheriff’s right-back with a neat stepover that his idol Cristiano Ronaldo would have no doubt been proud of, and he gave the defender a torrid time all evening.
The former Atletico Madrid youngster will be hoping to get ample more chances under the Dutchman and it was his third appearance in this season’s Europa League campaign.
Harry Maguire makes his return to action
After picking up a thigh injury during England’s UEFA Nations League draw against Germany, United’s captain last featured at club level when Ten Hag’s men won the reverse fixture in Chisinau when he came on the dying stages.
With Lisandro Martinez a booking away from missing next week’s crucial trip to Real Sociedad, Ten Hag brought on United’s number five to replace the Argentine when United was winning at half-time.
The 29-year-old was assured in possession and showcased his ability to hit raking diagonal passes. The former Leicester City man’s return to action will no doubt please England boss Gareth Southgate.
Real Sociedad win again
The La Liga side maintained their 100% record in Group E by beating Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia 2-0 away from home.
Manchester United’s win ensures that we can still win the group ahead of next week’s showdown in San Sebastian.
Following La Real’s 1-0 win at the Theatre of Dreams on matchday one, United will need to beat the Spanish outfit by more than one goal to win the group on head-to-head, as Imanol Alguacil’s side has a greater goal difference.
Having had a goal ruled out for offside, the returning 37-year-old’s frustration at not scoring his third goal of the season was growing.
But the five-time Ballon d’Or winner got his goal when on the second attempt he slotted home from close range after the Sheriff goalkeeper saved his header.
It was United number seven’s 701st goal in club football and his first at Old Trafford for the 2022-23 campaign.
Having played the full game against Sheriff, it will be interesting to see whether Ten Hag starts Portugal’s captain against West Ham United on Sunday.
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