Man Utd 3 Sheriff Tiraspol 0 LIVE RESULT: Ronaldo scores on winning return to side as Red Devils thrash minnows
Sponsored by
MANCHESTER UNITED beat Sheriff Tiraspol 3-0 in the Europa League this evening at Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo started the clash for United, who went 1-0 up through Diogo Dalot in the 44th minute.
Marcus Rashford then doubled United's lead with a cool finish midway through the second half.
Ronaldo then made it THREE to United, capping off a successful return to the side for the Portuguese forward.
- Start time: 8pm
- TV/Live stream: BT Sport 1
- Man Utd XI: De Gea, Martinez, Lindelof, Malacia, Dalot, Eriksen, Casemiro, Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Ronaldo, Garnacho
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
Man Utd 2-0 Sheriff
72. With United dominant in possession Ten Hag has once again opted to deploy his full-backs largely infield as opposed to on the wing.
It's been seen a few times this season and continues to be an intriguing style - and in some sense echoes Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
Man Utd 2-0 Sheriff
69. The first work of the night for De Gea as he comfortably deals with a cross-cum-shot from the right flank.
United attackers seemed to believe trying a quick free-kick would be better than waiting to organise themselves - but they gave the ball away and allowed the consequent counter-attack.
Man Utd 2-0 Sheriff
66. Along with Shaw, Scott McTominay has come onto the pitch.
He has replaced Casemiro.
Superb Rashford header
65. Luke Shaw, who has just come on in place of Dalot, whips the ball into the area where Rashford is waiting.
He then plants a header into the bottom corner from around eight yards out to double the lead.
Man Utd 2-0 Sheriff
GOALLLL
The super subs combine to double the lead.
Man Utd 1-0 Sheriff
62. A sharp move from United sees Ronaldo finally get the ball in the net.
But the goal is disallowed for offside.
Garnacho was once again central to the move before Rashford whipped a ball to the back post with three players waiting.
Ronaldo ghosts to a more central position and receives the ball with a flick-down header.
He then crashes the ball into the roof of the net past Koval but is denied the opportunity to celebrate as the offside flags goes up.
Ronaldo then boots the ball up high and into the Stretford end in frustration.
Man Utd 1-0 Sheriff
58. Ronaldo with another great chance, but once again he is unable to produce a finish.
United work the ball well and find Ronaldo in acres of space facing down on goal.
He runs at goal and dinks to the right as two runners take away defenders to vacate space on the right.
However, he is unable to apply the finish while bearing down on a goal begging for the ball to go in as he scuffs the shot and sends it high and wide.
Disappointing to say the least.
Man Utd 1-0 Sheriff
56. Lovely sequence from United there.
Maguire picks up the ball and pings a delicious cross-field ball to Garnacho.
He then beats his full-back once again and crosses a dangerous ball into the penalty area.
But Sheriff are able to clear the ball.
Man Utd 1-0 Sheriff
55. Garnacho beats his man down the wing again but overhits the cross.
More positive from the teenager.
Man Utd 1-0 Sheriff
51. But Eriksen takes it and it goes sailing far over the bar and into the Stretford End crowd.
Man Utd 1-0 Sheriff
51. Eriksen wins a free-kick on the edge of the area.
The Dane and Ronaldo are both standing over it. A good chance from around 25 yards out for United.
Man Utd 1-0 Sheriff
49. Normal service has resumed so far.
United are still dominating the ball with Sheriff unable to pass their way out of their defensive posture.
Man Utd 1-0 Sheriff
46. Ten Hag has opted for a double sub in order to see out this match.
Marcus Rashford has come on to replace Antony following his showboating antics.
Meanwhile, club captain Harry Maguire has also come on to replace Martinez - no doubt to protect him from another yellow which would rule him out of the final game in the group.
Second half underway
Antony showboating
Robbie Savage was left very unimpressed with a twin roulette from Antony while the game was still 0-0.
Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves in the BT Sport studio were not very impressed either, with the former describing the skill as "ridiculous."
HALF-TIME: Man Utd 1-0 Sheriff
United left it late in the half but they finally managed to find their breakthrough thanks to Dalot's header.
They have been overwhelmingly dominant but have not been as threatening as Ten Hag might hope, with a number of shots being speculative and fully-fledged chances being few and far between.
Nevertheless, it is a vital goal considering Real Sociedad are already 1-0 ahead in Cyprus against Omonia.
Should these results hold then United will need to beat Sociedad in Spain in the final game of the group stage.
Dalot gets the opener
44. Finally United have found their opener.
Eriksen swings in a set piece from the left side and Dalot heads in a header with a deft flick at the near post.
It has to be said that it has been coming, and hopefully for United this means Sheriff will open up a bit in order to try and push for an equaliser.
Man Utd 1-0 Sheriff
GOAAAAAAAAL
WE HAVE AN OPENER AT OLD TRAFFORD
Man Utd 0-0 Sheriff
40. Wake up call for United.
United have been on the front foot all game, but Rasheed managed to get some room on the left flank and whip in a dangerous cross.
However, his cross is not met by Iyayi Atiemwen in the middle, with the Nigerian not quite able to get his head to it for a certain goal.
Man Utd 0-0 Sheriff
37. Malacia with a superb run.
The Dutchman plays a 1-2 with Fernandes on the wing before attacking his opposing full-back.
He managed to beat his man and run towards goal in the penalty area.
He then drives a shot at goal, but it's saved by Koval.
Man Utd 0-0 Sheriff
34. United continuing to press their advantage against Sheriff with shots coming in from all over the place.
Garnacho once again saw a shot blocked, while others have seen shots deflected miles off target.
Man Utd 0-0 Sheriff
30. Koval equal to a shot once again.
Eriksen, in plenty of space, tries a speculative effort from long range.
And the Danes shot has a goalbound trajectory before Koval is able to push it away.
Fernandes gets the rebound but cannot get past the smothering Sheriff defence.
Man Utd 0-0 Sheriff
28. BEST CHANCE OF THE NIGHT.
Lindelof plays a wonderful pass to the far post where Fernandes has made a brilliant run.
He then heads the ball back towards the middle of the goal Ronaldo to tap in.
But he fluffs his lines as he doesn't get a clean hit on the ball and allows Koval to prevent the ball going into his net.
Man Utd 0-0 Sheriff
26. Fernandes goes close.
United opened up Sheriff and managed to feed the ball into Fernandes on the edge of the area, who swings a shot at goal but sees it fly narrowly wide.
Man Utd 0-0 Sheriff
24. The yellow wall remains firmly standing for now.
United are continuing to probe and press but at the moment nothing is budging from the yellow wall that stands before them.
Garnacho just saw a speculative cross cleared before another deep pass to the far post was slightly overhit.