MAN UTD 3, FC SHERIFF TIRASPOL 0
It was about as one sided as it could be as Manchester United beat Moldovan champions FC Sheriff Tiraspol to guarantee second spot of Europa League, Group E.
Seventy-four per cent possession, 24 goal attempts to one, 10 on target to one and eight corners to nil were emphatic stats.
Possibly the surprise was the Reds only scored three goals from Diogo Dalot, Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo.
It left the Reds needing to win by a two-goal margin in their last game at Real Sociedad to snatch top spot and progress automatically to the last 16.
Finishing second will result in Erik ten Hag’s side playing a team which drops out of the Champions League with potentially a clash with Barcelona.
Embed from Getty ImagesTen Hag was pleased with the night’s work, explaining: “It was a good win, but you always want more.
“We created chances to score more, good chances and scored three good goals.
“We attacked well and didn’t concede any chances on counters – they had only one shot.”
Ten Hag was delighted that his side kept a fourth consecutive clean sheet at Old Trafford.
“Defending like that and controlling things offensively wins you trophies,” he added.
The Dutchman was pleased with Argentine youngster Alejandro Garnacho on his full debut, explaining his attitude has improved.
“It was a good performance, and he did what I expected of him,” he said.
“He deserved a chance after having a bad attitude. In the last few weeks, I have been happy with his better attitude, and he has been more resilient and determined.”
Ten Hag added it was about Garnacho, like other young players, growing up.
“It is not about tricks, but winning football games and there are a lot of demands,” he explained.
Rashford added: “They set up to defend well and play on counter. It took us a while and got the first goal from a set piece so we’re happy with that. Once we went 1-0 ahead, the space opened up and we could have got a few more.
“Not getting the first goal quickly leads to a mix between frustration and calmness, you have to be calm to create chances and be clinical in taking them.
“Scoring before half-time was a big help, it allowed us to look for more goals and space and we found them. It was about getting the job done.”
On next week’s trip to Real Sociedad, Rashford said: “We have to go there and score by two goals.
“We have to score goals but defend well. It is going to be a tough game but looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s taken a lot of hard work to adapt and change, but we’re getting there.”
Ronaldo returned to the starting line-up tonight after being stood down for the Chelsea game by ten Hag for refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham last week.
Eighteen-year-old Argentina youth international Garnacho was handed his full debut.
Victor Lindelof partnered Lisandro Martinez in central defence as Raphael Varane was injured.
Tyrell Malacia replaced Luke Shaw at left-back, while Harry Maguire and Donny van de Beek were on the bench after recent injuries.
Casemiro spotted Sheriff goalkeeper Maxym Koval off his line and tried an audacious shot from inside his own half, but it sailed well wide. It brought a smile to the face of the Brazilian playmaker who is clearly enjoying his football at Old Trafford.
Koval was called into action again shortly afterwards diving smartly low to his right to grasp a shot by Antony from the edge of the box while Casemiro had a goalbound header blocked.
Ronaldo then saw a header from Tyrell Malacia’s cross dip just over the bar from six yards and it looked only a matter of time before the breakthrough was made.
And still the chances came and went as Bruno Fernandes bent a shot just past the upright from the edge of the box while Fernandes’ head down found Ronaldo whose shot from three yards was somehow blocked by Koval.
Christian Eriksen then fired a drive from 30 yards which brought a decent fiving save from Koval. Ronaldo had a pop from similar distance, but his effort was deflected off Gaby Kiki for a corner.
Malacia then cut in from the left and saw an angled shot blocked by Koval who was having a busy night.
The breakthrough came in the final minute of the half, and from an unlikely source, right back Dalot who rose to head home Eriksen’s from six yards. It was only his second goal for the Reds.
United made two changes at the break as Lisandro Martinez and Antony made way for Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford.
The Reds remained on top without seriously threatening a second goal until Ronaldo bent a shot from the edge of the box narrowly wide.
Ronaldo had the ball in the net, but he had strayed offside as he latched on to Fernandes’ headed flick.
Ten Hag made two further changes just after the hour, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay replacing Dalot and Casemiro.
And Shaw made an immediate impact crossing for Rashford to find the net with a near-post header as the two substitutes combined superbly. It was Rashford’s sixth goal of the season.
FC Sheriff had their first on target goal attempt with 21 minutes left, but Cedric Badola shot weakly at David De Gea.
United remained on top as Rashford forced another decent save from Koval before a drive from Garnacho narrowly cleared the crossbar.
Van De Beek replaced Garnacho with 11 minutes left and that was soon followed by a third United goal which was manufactured in Portugal.
Fernandes provided the cross and Ronaldo the finish at the second attempt as his initial effort was parried by Koval.
It was Ronaldo’s third goal of the season, 701st club goal and 818th including those at international level as he behaved impeccably – there were several thumbs up to acknowledge the good work of team-mates.