MAN UNITED 5, FC MIDTJYLLAND 1 (6-3 on aggregate)
Marcus Rashford was an unlikely hero for injury-hit Manchester United in their Europa League triumph against FC Midtjylland at Old Trafford.
The 18-year-old striker scored twice on his debut, despite not being down to play against the Danes.
It was only an injury to Anthony Martial in the pre-match warm up that opened the door for Rashford, a player whose name wasn’t even on the squad list in the programme.
Yet Rashford, who scored two of the first three goals, played a pivotal part in the Reds’ success.
For much of the night it looked as though Midtjylland, who had the audacity to take the lead at Old Trafford to open a 3-1 aggregate lead, might cause an upset.
It was only in the last 15 minutes that United sealed victory with three late goals as they scored five goals in a home European tie for the first time since April 2007 when they beat Italian side AS Roma 7-1.
But overall it was a richly deserved victory as United enjoyed 71-per-cent possession and they had 25 goal attempts to two by the Danes. Nine were on target while the corner count was also 14-1 in their favour.
Manager Louis van Gaal praised his players saying: “It was a fantastic performance. We started well and created many chances but, despite this, they scored with their first attack.
“Then perhaps you see a decline in confidence, but our spirit was high. We equalised, missed a penalty and still continued playing attacking football with the spirit to win.
“It was not so easy, despite it being 5-1, as they worked well and were organised. The spirit was there, and a lot of players were at a high level.”
Van Gaal also praised young players Rashford and Joe Riley.
He said: “Compliments to the youngsters. It is not easy for the likes of Rashford and Riley making their debuts in Europe as the game is at a higher level and there is the pressure to win.
“It was a great performance from Rashford and a fantastic step in his learning process.”
United’s injury crisis deepened with centre-back Chris Smalling and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson ruled out as was Martial who injured his hamstring in the warm up. That took the list of absentees to a staggering 16.
Smalling was ruled out through a shoulder injury while Borthwick-Jackson picked up a knock at Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup on Monday.
Rashford received a late call up as the young Mancunian was handed his debut with the onus as the lone front man to deliver the goals to catapult the Reds into the last 16.
Midfield man Michael Carrick was pressed into action as an emergency centre-back while 19-year-old Riley was handed his first start at right back.
The Blackpool-born Riley replaced Borthwick-Jackson when he was hurt in the cup-tie at Greenhous Meadow.
After a pedestrian and lack-lustre start, it was Rashford who created the first chance of the game in the 16th minute, cutting in from the left before firing a low shot that was well turned round the post for a corner by keeper Mikkel Andersen.
The Dane’s had a let off mid-half when Filip Novak’s clearance struck Jesse Lingard and rebounded into the side netting with Andersen scrambling across his goal.
United were stunned when Midtjylland stole into the lead after 27 minutes through a fine solo goals from Sisto, who found the net in the opening game.
The Ugandan-born Dane made a slalom run past Daley Blind, Carrick and Riley before slotting the ball low to the right of keeper Sergio Romero.
A stunned United were back on level terms within five minutes after having a lucky break when Bodurov put through his own goal.
Memphis Depay made a terrific run cutting in from the left before firing over a low cross that Bodurov, trying to cut out, could only deflect past Andersen.
United suddenly came live and the Danes were forced into at times desperate defending. Morgan Schneiderlin went close to giving them the lead with a spectacular overhead kick that flew narrowly wide.
There was drama late in the half when Schneiderlin’s header crashed against the upright.
United then won a penalty when Ander Herrera was scythed down by Andre Romer, but Mata’s penalty was brilliantly saved by Andersen low to his right. Many feared this might be the moment when United’s Europa League campaign died.
Van Gaal’s side started the second half on the front foot as Schneiderlin sliced a shot across the face of goal while Herrera’s header rippled into the side netting with many at Old Trafford mistakenly believing it was a goal.
United’s relentless pressure eventually paid off when they took the head mid-half.
Guillermo Varela’s cross from the right found Mata who cut the ball back from the by-line for Rashford to fire home from eight yards.
And Rashford struck again 12 minutes later to put United ahead for the first time. Varela crossed from the right of the box and Rashford coolly slotted home a low shot from eight yards.
It took United until the 87th minute before finally seeing off the Danes when they won a second spot kick of the night for a handball by Kian Hansen. Herrera stepped forward this time and made no mistake smashing a shot into the top corner of the net.
Midtjylland were reduced to 10 men when Andre Romer was sent off for a second booking.
And there was still time for a fifth goal when Depay scored a stunning solo effort, richly deserved for his efforts.
The back-to-form Dutch winger cut in from the left before firing home a low shot from outside the box.
United gave a second player a debut in stoppage time when young Welshman Regan Poole was given a brief runout.