Manchester United 4, AZ Alkmaar 0 – Europa League
Mason Greenwood scored a brace as Manchester United’s final Europa League game against AZ Alkmaar went from listless dead rubber to thrashing in the space of 11 second half minutes.
Embed from Getty ImagesOnly Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire remained in the side from the derby win over Manchester City but the Reds initially played within themselves having already qualified from Europa League group L.
Oussama Idrissi caused the Reds the most trouble, with chances going begging for Dani de Wit and Calvin Stengs.
But a game which seemed to be going nowhere suddenly ignited in 11 second half minutes.
A great United move was ended when Ashley Young thrashed Juan Mata’s square ball across the six yard box into the roof of the net after 53 minutes.
Mason Greenwood scored twice either side of Juan Mata’s penalty, which he also earned, to put United in a commanding position with plenty of time left to play.
Greenwood took advantage of a loose ball after Fredrik Midtsjo was fouled by James Garner to double the United lead, before he was brought down by Jordie Clasie to earn a penalty which Mata despatched.
And it was all over when Greenwood scored his second goal of the game in the 64th minute – another instinctive long range effort after United recycled another lost Alkmaar ball out of their defence.
In scoring his brace, Greenwood because United’s youngest player to score at least twice in a European game at the age of 18 years and 72 days – ahead of Marcus Rashford who was watching from the bench.
This allowed United to take their foot off the gas.
Alkmaar sporadically threatened but a Calvin Stengs shot tipped over by Romero was the closest they got as they decided to give up this game in favour of a weekend match against Ajax.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 4, AZ Alkmaar 0
Sergio Romero: 7. Had saves to make from the lively Oussama Idrissi and Calvin Stengs.
Ashley Young: 8. Tried to cut supply line to Idrissi. Influencial to guide and protect Greenwood and Tuanzebe. Put some crosses in himself and was on the spot to crash a ball into the roof of the net from the right side of the 6 yard box.
Axel Tuanzebe: 6. Couple of hairy moments when Alkmaar attacked, distribution a bit lacklustre but mostly looked the part.
Harry Maguire: 7. Evaded his marker to put a header in which was well saved. Had a quiet night and was rested after the game was won.
Brandon Williams: 7. Comfortable.
James Garner: 7. Willing runner in midfield. Fouled Midtsjo in the build up to to Mason Greenwood’s goal – which in the Champions League would have seen it ruled out.
Nemanja Matic: 6. Back from injury, his incisive ball to release Juan Mata led to the first goal but he looked a shadow of the player he was.
Andreas Pereira: 7. Somewhat marooned on the left wing but managed to find a piece of magic to keep the ball in play to start the move that ended with Ashley Young’s goal.
Juan Mata: 8. Sliced a shot well wide and had one cleared off the line by Jordie Clasie before his cross to Ashley Young was converted with interest. Scored a confident penalty.
Mason Greenwood: 9. Unfamiliar right wing role and though eager was slow to recognise danger down his flank. Much better going forward and scored hugely impressive goals either side of winning a penalty for Juan Mata.
Anthony Martial: 6. A little isolated. Blazed over early in the second half when a chance came his way from Greenwood.
Tahith Chong (on for Anthony Martial, 59): 6. United were cruising not long after he came on.
Phil Jones (on for Harry Maguire, 68): 6. Put himself about but the game was already won.
Ethan Laird (on for Ashley Young, 68): 5. Booked for rash challenge, Alkmaar tried to exploit his inexperience after he came on.
GOALS – Manchester United 4, AZ Alkmaar 0
Man Utd 1, AZ Alkmaar 0: 53. Nemanja Matic released Juan Mata whose square ball across the entire 6 yard box was converted by Ashley Young who was unmarked on the right side at an acute angle 5 yards out.
Man Utd 2, AZ Alkmaar 0: 58. Fredrik Midtsjo lost the ball trying to run it out of the Alkmaar defence, was fouled by James Garner, and Mason Greenwood immediately pounced, firing the loose ball in from 20 yards out having come central.
Man Utd 3, AZ Alkmaar 0: 62. Mason Greenwood was brought down by Jordie Clasie for a penalty, Juan Mata stepped up and turned the ball inside the right upright for a quickfire third United goal
Man Utd 4, AZ Alkmaar 0: 64. Mason Greenwood rifled the ball in from the right wing, 20 yards out, after Nemanja Matic intercepted a poor ball out by Alkmaar, slipped it to Juan Mata who passed to the United striker to score another stunner.
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 4, AZ Alkmaar 0
Man Utd: Romero, Young (Laird 68), Tuanzebe, Maguire (Jones 68), Williams, Garner, Matic, Pereira, Mata, Greenwood, Martial (Chong 59)
Man Utd Subs not used: Grant, Rashford, Fred, McTominay
Booking: Laird 82 (foul on Calvin Stengs)
Goals: Young 53; Greenwood 58, 64; Mata 62 (pen)
AZ Alkmaar: Bizot, Svensson, Clasie, Wuytens, Wijndal, Midtsjo, Koopmeiners, de Wit (Druijf 63), Sugawara (Vlaar 68), Stengs, Idrissi (Ouwejan 77)
AZ Alkmaar Subs not used: de Boer, Aboukhlal, Reijnders, Kramer
Booked: Clasie 28 (push on Anthony Martial), Midtsjo 58 (dissent), Koopmeiners 84 (pull back on Tahith Chong)
Referee: Sandro Sharer
Attendance: 65,773