Manchester United beat Omonia 3-2 tonight in the Europa League.
United started on the front foot as Ronaldo, after starting for the first time in several games, was hungry to get on the score sheet.
He had a good first touch and a powerful shot on goal but it was a good save by the Omonia keeper.
He had another chance, but his toe was deflected into a corner.
Another brilliant opportunity came when Antony was in the middle, he could have rounded the goalkeeper and sent him home but instead opted to pass to Fernandes who was on his left but played behind the midfielder and was cleared by the opposition.
Fernandes had another chance moments later, but his chip hit the crossbar and Ronaldo was unable to make contact on the rebound.
Opportunity after opportunity was squandered by the Reds and the first nose for goal the hosts had and smashed it into the roof of the net.
United played deflated after that, while Omonia had a renewed belief, pushing players further forward.
United had forty-five minutes to recover, if they succumbed to this score it would be one of the most embarrassing defeats in their history.
The second half started and Fernandes stood on a free kick but hit it right into the goalies hands.
But moments later, backup Marcus Rashford was the Reds’ savior when a beautiful ball landed at his feet. A defender shoved it out of the way but he kept his cool, retrieved it, took a touch and another before releasing it outside the box and finding the net.
Ten Hag was looking for more and after some patient play from the Reds he made more changes.
Anthony Martial’s first participation resulted in a goal; Rashford fed it back to Martial, who rounded a defender and finished it towards goal from the edge of the box.
Still, Ronaldo went for his 700th club goal and managed to hit the post, staring up at the sky in disbelief.
The rivals, although they had very little possession, had another great opportunity, but Bruno could not hit his chip on De Gea and the goalkeeper claimed him.
As Omonia ventured forward, United managed to break on the counterattack, Ronaldo with a fantastic run managed to find Rashford, who scored the third.
Moments after the restart and Omonia managed to get another one back, out of nowhere Panagiotou landed his left shot long and into the top right corner.
The team was aware of Ronaldo’s personal ambition tonight and Rashford selflessly tried to cross the box with the Portuguese international but was unable to connect with him.
Once again, Rashford played him, surrounded by defenders, patient, holding the ball, turning and firing a shot that went wide of the post – it wasn’t his night.
It wasn’t the game we expected, but luckily the Reds got the job done.
Team: De Gea, Dalot, Malaysia (Shaw 45), Martinez, Lindelof, Sancho (Rashford 45), Eriksen, Antony (Fred 74), Casemiro (McTominay 82), Fernandes (Martial 62), Ronaldo
