MAN UNITED 1, FC ROSTOV 0
(United won 2-1 on aggregate)
Juan Mata was seconds from being substituted when he hit Manchester United’s winning goal in their Europa League round of 16 game against FC Rostov.
Had the Spaniard, who was to be replaced by Marcus Rashford, not scored, United would still have triumphed on the away goals rule having drawn 1-1 in Russia.
While Mata will be acclaimed as the goalscorer in this eminently forgettable match, United were also indebted to Sergio Romero for their safe passage to the quarter finals.
The Argentine keeper made three important saves in the second period to ensure the Reds kept a clean sheet and progressed.
Rostov, completely outplayed in the opening period, had been forced to open up in the second period when they could easily have taken the tie to extra time.
United enjoyed 69-per-cent possession, had 18 goal attempts to Rostov’s six, though both sides had four on target.
But their victory came at a cost as Paul Pogba and Daley Blind were both forced off injured.
United manager Jose Mourinho confirmed Pogba has a hamstring injury and does not know how long he will be out.
Mourinho added Rostov were difficult to play against as they “defended with a block of 10 players”.
He described Rostov as being well organised and disciplined and also dangerous on the counter attack.
“Our plan was to kill the game when we had energy in the first half when we hit the post and missed chances,” he said.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, serving a domestic ban, returned as one of five changes from the side beaten at Chelsea on Monday in the Emirates FA Cup.
There were also recalls for keeper Romero, defenders Eric Bailly and Blind and Mata.
The players to make way were David De Gea, Ashley Young, Matteo Darmian, Phil Jones and Rashford while Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial were again missing through injury.
Rostov were so short of players they were only able to name four of a permitted seven substitutes.
United close agonisingly close to making a breakthrough in the fourth minute when Marcus Rojo’s header from Blind’s corner was clawed out by keeper Nikita Medvedev and Ibrahimovic, following up, struck the upright from a tight angle.
The Reds enjoyed 80-per-cent of early possession such was their dominance, but it was frustrating as Rostov parked the bus and were intent on frustrating their opponents.
United had another glorious chance on the half hour when Mata sent Mkhitaryan clear. The Armenian captain chipped keeper Medvedev, but the ball spun wide.
Ibrahimovic was denied by the woodwork for a second time in the 34th minute. Running on to a Mata pass, the Swede stepped inside and saw a fierce drive strike the far upright and bounce to safety.
And in first half stoppage time, Pogba forced a super save from Medvedev to ensure it remained goalless.
United were dealt a blow two minutes after the restart when Pogba pulled up with what appeared a hamstring strain.
He departed straight for the dressing room to be replaced by Marouane Fellaini.
Romero was called into action for the first time in the 53rd minute pulling off a super save to beat out a shot from Sardar Azmoun as Rostov briefly threatened. They needed a goal to stand any chance of qualification.
United lost a second player through injury just after the hour when Blind was elbowed to the cheekbone and was replaced by Phil Jones.
The breakthrough came with 20 minutes left as Mata began and finished a slick passing move.
Ibrahimovic sprayed a pass to Mkhitaryan on the right and his low cross was flicked on by Ibrahimovic for Mata, stealing in at the far post, to almost walk the ball into the net from a couple of yards.
Mata became only the second United player to reach 10 goals for the season, something he has achieved in each of the last three seasons.
Needless to say Mata remained on the pitch and Rashford remained on the sidelines.
Rostov had to throw caution to the wind as they had to score.
Substitute Aleksandr Bukharov, the scorer on Rostov’s goal in the first leg, almost repeated the act when his header from eight yards was brilliantly kept out by Romero diving full length to his right.
There was further drama at the death in the fourth and final minute of stoppage time when substitute Jones committed a careless foul 30 yards out.
Christian Noboa struck the dead ball that was arrowing towards the top corner until Romero brilliantly managed to turn it to safety and spare the game going into extra time.