MANCHESTER UNITED eased past Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol 2-0 to kickstart their Europa League campaign.
Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo both struck first-half goals in a comfortable victory away from home for Erik ten Hag’s men.
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Christian Eriksen fed a lovely pass into Sancho in the 17th minute and the ex-Borussia Dortmund man fired a low strike into the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead.
And Ronaldo doubled their advantage from the spot shortly before the break after Diogo Dalot was brought down in the box.
The win gives United their first win in the Europa League this season following the 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad last week.
Here is how SunSport’s Dylan Terry saw the performances of Man Utd’s players in Moldova.
DAVID DE GEA – 6/10
Was left unsighted by Sheriff’s snap shot in the first half and will have been relieved to see it whistle past his right-hand post.
Did all the basics as expected on a routine night for the Spaniard.
DIOGO DALOT – 6
Dalot has been praised for having already improved a great deal under Ten Hag.
He struggled with both his passing and crossing in the first half, but got to grips with the game as it wore on.
Drilled a brilliant low cross in for Fernandes who was denied by the feet of Maksym Koval.
RAPHAEL VARANE – 6
A commanding presence at the heart of United’s backline, Varane is developing an impressive relationship with Martinez.
Never looks out of position or in any real trouble.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 7
Martinez produced some inch-perfect long passes for Ronaldo which were not capitalised on.
His distribution is a great addition to this United side. He also looked untroubled when his physicality was called upon.
Moves seamlessly into midfield and acts as another creative player when United are in possession.
TYRELL MALACIA – 6
Didn’t put a foot wrong defensively. Always took up the right position when Sheriff came forward.
Also linked up well with Sancho down the left, before showing his versatility in the final 20 minutes by switching to right-back.
SCOTT McTOMINAY – 7
Making it incredibly difficult to see how Casemiro gets in the team at this moment in time.
Regained and retained possession superbly for Ten Hag’s men. Clearly forming a superb partnership with Eriksen in the middle of the park.
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CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 8
Delightful reverse pass into Sancho for the opening goal.
Eriksen is making this United team tick, acting as the link between McTominay and the front four.
Looks to be the classiest operator in Ten Hag’s team. Currently an undroppable talisman at the heart of everything for United.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 6
Played a great pass which led to Dalot being brought down for the penalty.
Drifted in and out of the game, but definitely gives United a balanced midfield when playing in a trio alongside McTominay and Eriksen.
Denied by Koval in the second period after crisply striking a Dalot cross.
ANTONY – 6
A couple of fancy tricks aside, he was incredibly quiet in the first half as Sancho saw much more of the ball on the other flank.
Did not impact the game how he would have liked, but did still cause one or two problems when he got his defender one on one.
CRISTIANO RONALDO – 4
Ronaldo’s little flicks and deft touches were not coming off in the first half as he dropped deep to get more involved in the match.
He also missed a good opportunity, rashly rifling over from inside the penalty area after being found in behind the Sheriff defence.
Dispatched the spot kick down the middle, but still looks well off it.
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JADON SANCHO – 7
Having been left out of the England squad earlier in the day, Sancho responded with an accomplished finish just 17 minutes into the game.
Came within a whisker of a second before half-time but for a fantastic goal line clearance.
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SUBSTITUTES
CASEMIRO (FOR McTOMINAY, 46) – 6
Kept the ball well as United dictated the tempo of the game in a professional manner.
Didn’t clearly improve the side when replacing McTominay, though, and may still have to settle for a place on the bench after the international break.
LUKE SHAW (FOR DALOT, 70) – 6
Malacia moved over to the right as Shaw replaced Dalot. Didn’t put a foot wrong but is expected to remain Ten Hag’s second choice left-back.
ANTHONY ELANGA (FOR RONALDO, 81) – 6
Showed his pace with a couple of dangerous bursts down the left.
Ultimately had very little time to impact the match with the result already effectively decided.
HARRY MAGUIRE (FOR MARTINEZ, 90) – N/A
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO (FOR ANTONY, 90) – N/A
Unusued subs: Heaton, Vitek, Lindelof, Fred, Iqbal, McNeill.
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