A die-hard in the away end sent a picture of fans perched in trees overlooking the Stadionul Zimbru. Such was the enthusiasm for Manchester United from the Chisinau locals the 600 away-dayers skipped a rendition of "You've only come to see United".
In a country they might never have imagined visiting, they were merry and audible. United have strung three away wins together for the first time since December 2020 when they were locked out of Goodison Park, St Mary's and the London Stadium in lockdown.
Sheriff claimed the scalp of Real Madrid in the Bernabeu last season but that squad has been gutted and bar a rasper that David de Gea anxiously watched bounce past his post never looked capable of recording another upset.
Also read: United player ratings vs Sheriff
In this peculiar period of two European games in 28 days, United have regained some momentum after the passive performance against Real Sociedad. Erik ten Hag had the luxury of giving Scott McTominay, Diogo Dalot and Cristiano Ronaldo breathers, individuals maintained their fine form on a serene evening.
There are umpteen incentives for United to challenge for the Europa League in a season that could still be Europe or bust, such is the competitive domestic landscape. Finishing first in Group E would bypass a round-of-32 double-header with a team relegated from the Champions League.
The dry and cramped pitch looked as brutal as some of the Moldovan architecture. From the television images, it could have been mistaken for Loftus Road and United required a period of adjustment against their committed opponents.
That is a rite of passage for western European teams who travel east and Lisandro Martinez's perceptive pass for Cristiano Ronaldo in the 15th minute was as good a breakthrough, despite the Portuguese tumbling desperately inside the area. Jadon Sancho put United 1-0 up two minutes later from the next pierced pass via Christian Eriksen.
Sancho did not tally his third goal of last season until February and he has improved with every United managerial appointment, scoring his first for the club under Michael Carrick, embarking on his richest spell of form on Ralf Rangnick's watch and increasing his efficacy for Erik ten Hag.
His goal was especially timely, hours after he was overlooked again by Gareth Southgate for the England squad. Sancho is becoming a victim of his profile, such is the scrutiny a marquee name is under at United and the coverage the club generates.
Jack Grealish, a £100million player, has had an easy ride at City in spite of underwhelming for upwards of a year. Grealish has started once in the Premier League this season and is yet to offer a goal but is permitted a free pass by Southgate.
England staff have not always taken a shine to Sancho when he is in camp. They should drive down Birch Road at Carrington, where Sancho is one of the most generous with his time leaving the United training complex to stop for selfies and sign autographs. He celebrated in Chisinau by holding aloft a shinpad gifted to him by a supporter.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer intended on making Sancho and Grealish teammates and at international level they are direct rivals, both operating from the left-hand side. Grealish spent time out in the cold as the conservative Southgate delayed his call-up but he has banked credits through some game-changing cameos during the European Championship.
Now, Sancho is objectively the more deserving inclusion, only Southgate has long since reneged on his pledge to select players on form rather than reputation. Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, complicit in United's torturous start to the campaign, will report at St George's Park next week while Sancho misses out. England's loss is United's gain.
Sancho will relish returning to his old stomping ground at City two weeks on Sunday. He equalised classily at City last season and is certain to start on his favoured left-hand side again. Grealish cannot be as confident.
Provided Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial regain match fitness in a fortnight's time, Ten Hag will almost certainly revert to the fluid triumvirate he settled on in pre-season. Rashford and Martial have stepped off the Etihad turf as matchwinners before and possess the skill set to unnerve Ruben Dias and John Stones.
Sheriff were about as secure as their namesake of Nottingham in the Disney Robin Hood film. Sancho was denied a second on the goal line, Diogo Dalot's infiltration procured the penalty Ronaldo converted and Bruno Fernandes struck the ball too close to 'keeper Maxym Koval.
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