Moldova's vineyards stocked the Kremlin’s wine cellar in the days of the Soviet Union and although this was not vintage Manchester United, normal service was resumed.
Erik ten Hag billed this game as must win following United’s shock home loss to Real Sociedad and his side duly delivered in Chisinău. They did so without needing to get out of second gear and their European campaign is up and running after the false start against Sociedad.
Ten Hag signalled his intent by making five changes to field his strongest-available side, which meant Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were benched on the day they were called up by Gareth Southgate. Southgate overlooked Jadon Sancho for his latest England squad and the winger responded by opening the scoring for United with his third goal of his fine season.
Diogo Dalot and Christian Eriksen also impressed on a night when United did what they had to do. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first of the season from the penalty spot with his 699th club goal to the delight of the home fans, who had turned out to see their hero.
Chuck in a third clean sheet and Ten Hag was a contented man as he boarded United’s flight back to Manchester last night after this comfortable win. Sancho sparked United into life with his goal on 17 minutes after a sluggish start when Sheriff, who have won the last six Moldovan titles, were arguably the better side.
Eriksen has made such a difference to United’s attacking play with his creativity and he fed Sancho, who turned expertly inside on to his left foot to shoot home in off the post. The goal lifted United and they twice went close to a second when Ronaldo failed to hit the target from Antony’s quick free-kick and Stjepan Radeljic made a superb goalline clearance to keep out Sancho’s shot.
United scored a second six minutes before half-time when Patrick Kpozo made a rash challenge on Dalot to concede a penalty. There was only one United player who was going to take this spot-kick and up stepped Ronaldo to drill home the penalty.
Sheriff had their moments and Mouhamed Diop shot just over from Tyrell Malacia’s misplaced pass while Iyayi Atiemwen went close with a drive and a free-kick. United switched to cruise control in the second half and Koval made a fine instinctive save to keep out Bruno Fernandes’ shot.
Sheriff, who famously beat Real Madrid in the Bernabeu last season, refused to lie down and Ibrahim Rasheed saw a lob drop just the wrong side of the crossbar. For all of Sheriff’s endeavour, they did not manage a shot on target until 15 minutes from time when David De Gea plucked Cedric Badolo’s shot from the air.
With the game won, Ten Hag brought on club captain Maguire with just a minute of normal time remaining and the England defender will find starts had to come by ahead of the World Cup.
