Sheriff Tiraspol 0-2 Manchester United (Sancho 17’, Ronaldo 39’ pen)
Manchester United picked up their first Europa League win of the campaign with a routine victory in Moldova.
Having lost to Real Sociedad at home last week, a sluggish start from United was quickly forgotten about when Jadon Sancho, a headline omission from Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad, continued his fine recent form with the opening goal on Thursday.
“We have picked on the basis of form and capability over a long period,” Southgate had said earlier in the day, with Sancho’s recent revival under Erik ten Hag evidently not enough to make the England manager’s 28-man squad.
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“Crazy challenge from the lad [Patrick Kpozo],” Paul Scholes said on BT Sport at half-time.
In truth United rarely needed to shift out of second gear. The first goal was a moment of brilliance, the second was gifted to them, and so the second half started at a slow pace as the visitors chugged along, dominating possession without really breaking a sweat.
And so it ended, two-nil, and a little too easy for United, although after last week’s defeat, this was an ideal response in what goes down as their final match of the month. Next, Manchester City away on 2 October.
Man Utd player ratings
David de Gea – No shot on target to trouble De Gea in the first half. First save, a routine one, in the 75th minute. 6/10
Diogo Dalot – Fouled for United’s penalty, getting in behind to catch out Kpozo, and continued to threaten down the right after the break. 7/10
Raphael Varane – A quiet night for United’s centre-backs but when called upon they were a cut above their opponent’s advances. 6/10
Lisandro Martinez – Another clean sheet in the bank and another solid performance at the back. 6/10
Tyrell Malacia – The busiest of United’s back four, but impressed time after time. 7/10
Scott McTominay – Picked ahead of Fred and Casemiro but was hauled off at half-time for Casemiro. Did nothing wrong, and it was arguably Ten Hag just giving the Brazilian some game-time. 6/10
Christian Eriksen – Orchestrated the opener with a superb reverse pass for Sancho. Continues to make United tick and is quickly becoming undroppable. 7/10
Antony – Starting on the right wing, a flash of brilliance with a flick was followed by some quick-thinking when taking a quick free-kick that found Ronaldo for a big chance. Otherwise, all too quiet. 5/10
Bruno Fernandes – Looks a little freer with Eriksen behind him, and had a few nearly moments this evening, forcing a good save from Koval in the second half. 7/10
Jadon Sancho – Overlooked for the latest England squad, which was announced at 2pm. Just over four hours later he rounded off a fine team move, with a quality turn and strike, to put United ahead. Almost scored again but for a clearance by Radeljic. 7/10
Cristiano Ronaldo – Struggled last week against Real Sociedad but still made it back-to-back starts. Wanted a penalty early on when seemingly through on goal, but referee Pawel Raczkowski said no. Fired over just after the half-hour mark, but straight down the middle from the spot to open his account for the campaign. 6/10
Subs:
Casemiro – On for McTominay at half-time, a chance to get minutes under his belt, too. 6/10
Luke Shaw – In for Dalot in the second half. 6/10
Anthony Elanga – Late sub, on for Ronaldo. n/a
Harry Maguire, Alejandro Garnacho – Even later introductions, in the 90th minute. n/a
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