MARCUS RASHFORD and Anthony Martial ensured Cristiano Ronaldo will continue to man the substitutes bench after sparing Manchester United’s blushes in a 3-2 win over Omonia.
The Red Devils fell behind in the first half after a calamitous error by Tyrell Malacia saw the home side hone in on goal.
Karim Ansarifard finished well at David de Gea’s near post to take the lead.
Erik ten Hag was furious with his United stars and hooked Malacia and Jadon Sancho – who was also at fault for Omonia’s opening goal – at half-time.
On came Luke Shaw and Rashford.
And the latter made an instant impact, netting the equaliser with a curled effort.
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Rashford then played a clever flick into substitute Martial for United to take the lead.
The England international then got his second of the evening, tapping home at the back post.
United managed to avoid a late fight back despite Nikolas Panayiotou pulling one back for Omonia.
The win takes United’s Europa League points tally to six.
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However, they’re trailing Real Sociedad, who they lost to in the first group game, by three points.
Here’s how Joshua Mbu rated the Red Devils…
David de Gea – 5
Should’ve done better for Omonia’s opener.
The Spaniard was beaten at his near post with a powerful effort.
Not much he could do about Omonia’s second.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Fairly quiet night for the full-back.
Looked decent in the second half after a shaky start to the game.
Rounded the keeper and teed up Ronaldo late on in the second half but his fellow countryman hit the post.
Caught out for Omonia’s second.
Doesn’t have much competition in the right-back department with Aaron Wan-Bissaka struggling with injury.
Victor Lindelof – 5
Not one of his best showings in a United shirt from the Swede.
Partnered Lisandro Martinez in the heart of the defence.
United dominating the second half took the pressure off him.
Lisandro Martinez – 6
Confident in possession and will continue to lead United’s backline.
Tyrell Malacia – 3
Calamitous error leading to the home side’s goal.
The full-back lost the ball on the halfway line and United were caught on the break.
Was hooked at half-time and replaced with Luke Shaw.
Casemiro – 5
The big money signing is having to be patient.
He was handed a start after manning the bench against Manchester City at the weekend.
Fairly quiet evening.
Was subbed off for Scott McTominay with ten minutes left to play.
Christian Eriksen – 4
A night to forget for the Dane.
Largely sluggish and didn’t cover himself in glory when trying to defend Omonia’s goal.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Was denied by the crossbar in the first half.
Got the assist for Rashford’s equaliser early on in the second half.
Was subbed for Martial in the 62nd minute.
Jadon Sancho – 4
Largely ineffective.
Struggled to get into the game and make an impact.
Was his pass to Malacia that saw the defender caught out for Omonia’s first goal when he should have found a forward pass.
Like Malacia, he was hooked at half-time and was replaced by Rashford.
Antony – 6
Fluffed a big opportunity in the first half by trying to be clever and cut the ball back to Fernandes.
Nearly made up for it with a curling effort which was brilliantly saved by the keeper.
Wasn’t scared to get a shot off.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 5
Was denied a 700th club goal in the early stages of the game.
Brazilian goalkeeper Fabiano pulled off a smart save to deny the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Missed a golden opportunity in the second half, hitting the post from six yards after being teed up by Dalot.
He did, however, assist United’s third.
The performance won’t be enough to force Erik ten Hag’s hand for a spot back in the team, especially with the form Martial and Rashford are in.
Subs
Shaw (for Malacia, 45) – 6
Malacia may have just handed the starting left-back spot back to long-time servant Luke Shaw.
The England international was secure at the back.
Marcus Rashford (for Sancho, 45) – 9
Came off the bench to spare United’s blushes.
Made a wonderful run in behind the backline, took his time and picked his spot to draw the Red Devils level.
The academy product got an assist for Martial’s goal, playing a clever flick into the Frenchman.
Finished the game off with a tap in at the back post, assisted by Ronaldo.
Anthony Martial (for Fernandes, 62) – 7
It took Martial just one minute to make an impact after replacing Fernandes.
The forward was found with a clever flick by Rashford and he finished well, adding to the two goals he scored against Manchester City at the weekend.
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Fred (for Antony, 72) – 5
Not much time to make an impact.
Scott McTominay (for Casemiro, 80) – 5
Did his job in helping see out the win.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
