Manchester United kept alive their hopes of finishing top of their Europa League group with a convincing 3-0 win against Sheriff at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils will go into next week's game against Real Sociedad knowing that a win by two goals or more will see them avoid a play-off against one of the teams dropping out of the Champions League.
Although, for much of the first half, it didn't look like that was going to be the case. The hosts were regularly thwarted by their opposition before Diogo Dalot was able to ease worries with a well-placed header on the stroke of half-time.
After the interval, it was pretty straightforward for Erik ten Hag's side as they were never troubled by the visitors. It took a while for the second goal to come but it was worth the wait as Marcus Rashford sent a thumping header into the back of the net from fellow substitute Luke Shaw's perfect cross.
At that stage, the only thing the evening was missing was a Cristiano Ronaldo goal after he had been restored to the starting XI. He missed a few chances – including a sitter in the first half – however he finally got on the scoresheet as he reacted quickest after Maksym Koval kept out his initial header. A big moment for Ronaldo there – but maybe not enough to convince anyone he's back to top form.
GOAL has winners, losers and ratings from the match below…
Getty ImagesWinners
Diogo Dalot:
There was a collector's item for the Portuguese right-back as he scored just his second goal for Manchester United with his well-guided header towards the end of the first half. The goal comes as another indicator of Dalot's increasing importance in Ten Hag's side.
There were worries amongst the fan base at Old Trafford when it was made clear that he would be the starting right-back but he is quite quickly eradicating any of that lingering doubt on the terraces. Of course, there are shortcomings in his game, but he continues to play a key role in the side and will be looking forward to the World Cup more and more as it creeps ever closer.
Marcus Rashford:
Another substitute performance in the Europa League and another goal. After a very disappointing last season for the Red Devils, he looks back to his best, or close enough to it.
He looks so much more confident this season than he had in the 18 months prior to Ten Hag's arrival and that is only good news for Manchester United – and perhaps England – supporters. Like Dalot, the World Cup will be in Rashford's mind and he will know that a continuation of his great form could put him right in the discussion for a place in Gareth Southgate's squad even at this very late stage.
Erik ten Hag:
The Europa League campaign has caused plenty of problems for the Manchester United boss so far this season so it was nice for him to see his team cruise to a win instead of stumbling into one. His team selection was, once again, strong but his players rarely needed to get out of second gear.
He made changes at half-time and in the second half and they all worked. Shaw and Rashford combined immediately after the former's introduction to seal the victory while Maguire got a useful run out on his return from injury. A successful evening all round for the Dutchman.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLosers
Antony:
Yet another disappointing European outing for the big-money summer signing. He has contributed effectively in the Premier League with a few goals but has not been able to contribute to anything meaningful in five Europa League games with four of those against very weak opposition.
Antony's 45 minutes on the pitch at Old Trafford will only be remembered for a couple of pointless 360-degree turns that ultimately ended with the ball being passed harmlessly out of play. He can be thankful that Roy Keane wasn't on punditry duty because there would have undoubtedly been a very scathing assessment of his nonsensical showboating.
Cristiano Ronaldo:
It may seem strange to find Ronaldo on the losers list given he returned to the starting XI with a goal but he still looks a mile from his best level at the moment. A Ronaldo even at 50% of his capacity would have come away from Old Trafford with the match ball this evening and the one he did score perhaps should have been put away with the header at the first time of asking.
There may have been a goal but he continues to show exactly why Manchester United's current best team doesn't include him. Given his recent behaviour and tonight's performance, it's hard to imagine the 37-year-old starting on Sunday afternoon against West Ham.
The substitute goalkeepers:
What do Tom Heaton and Martin Dubravka have to do to get a game? This evening's visit of Sheriff provided the perfect opportunity for the latter to be handed his Manchester United debut but, instead, De Gea was the man chosen between the sticks for the 16th time this season.
It would have been a very boring evening for either of the two back-up goalkeepers given the lack of threat posed by the visitors but it would have been nice for one of them to be given a game. If they can't get a start in a match like that, I'm not sure they'll play at all this season. Although, that won't be particularly concerning for anyone at the club!
Getty ImagesRatings: Defence
David de Gea (6/10): I'm not even sure Manchester United needed a goalkeeper. Sheriff didn't register a single shot throughout the game so the Spaniard's impact was limited to nothing.
Diogo Dalot (7/10): Another very good performance. Defended without problem, attacked frequently and got his second goal in a Manchester United shirt. A decent evening's work.
Victor Lindelof (6/10): Won't have many easier evenings in a red shirt. Defended well but some of his passing could have been more accurate.
Lisandro Martinez (6/10): A relatively easy 45-minute performance for him before being replaced by Maguire at half-time. The change perhaps made in the knowledge that another booking would leave him suspended for the final group-stage game next week.
Tyrell Malacia (6/10): A quiet evening for the youngster when he could have really pushed on to help Garnacho down the left wing. He moved over to right-back when Dalot was substituted but didn't play much of a part over there either.
Getty ImagesMidfield
Casemiro (6/10): Like many of his defensive teammates, a very comfortable evening. His passing could've been better at times but he did what he needed to do before being replaced by McTominay after an hour.
Christian Eriksen (7/10): In the games where he's given time and space on the ball, he shows just how good he is. He had the ball on a string for the 90 minutes and picked out passes that plenty of other players can only dream of. It was his corner that brought Dalot's opening goal.
Bruno Fernandes (6/10): No goals or assist for the midfielder who is always so keen to be in the thick of the attacking action but a solid performance otherwise. Rarely gave the ball away and linked the attack nicely at times. Certainly should've got an assist for Ronaldo who somehow missed the first-half sitter.
