The value of Martinez
This wasn't a game that was ever going to overly test the defensive abilities of Lisandro Martinez, despite Manchester United's wobbles, but it did display some of his other characteristics, notably his ability on the ball.
Omonia set out in a very defensive shape, with the Cypriot side often putting all 10 outfield players behind the ball. That left space at a premium but Martinez was vital in creating some openings.
The Argentine was happy to carry the ball out of defence and trying to take players out of the game but his passing was incisive and aggressive as well.
READ MORE: United player ratings vs Omonia Nicosia
He would fire passes out wide to Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho, attracting players to him before releasing the ball. There was also a line-breaking pass that freed Antony in the early stages, only for the Brazilian to spurn the shot and fluff his lay-off to Bruno Fernandes.
Martinez did eventually get himself involved in a goal, firing a sharp pass into Marcus Rashford, whose clever flick handed possession to Anthony Martial and the Frenchman put United in front and in control.
Breaking down deep defences is never easy, but with a centre-back as confident and cultured on the ball as Martinez, it can make a difference.
Ten Hag's ruthless streak
United's subs are learning that they need to be ready early under Erik ten Hag, with the two changes he made at half-time here the ninth and 10 substitutions he's made at the interval in 10 games in charge.
Some of them have been pre-planned, some tactical and some the result of poor performances and he was ruthless again in Cyprus with United under pressure.
In six of his 10 games in charge he's made a change at half-time and the two alterations in the GSP Stadium worked, with Luke Shaw and Rashford improving United.
Martial also scored twice off the bench on Sunday and that means United's last five goals have all now been scored by substitutes.
A weakness exposed
Ten Hag said rules had been broken by his United players in the 6-3 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday and on the eve of this Europa League game Fernandes suggested they revolved around being weak on transitions.
City, a team who rarely look to counter-attack, with Pep Guardiola preferring possession and organisation, scored three goals on the break at the Etihad, but evidently nobody had read the rule book on the five-hour flight to Cyprus.
United had completely dominated the first 34 minutes of this game, enjoying 81% possession and nine shots to nil. But when Christian Eriksen's free-kick was cleared, they were hopelessly exposed.
Malacia made a poor individual error, but Omonia Nicosia's players swarmed forward and United were poorly organised, with not enough players alert to the danger and not enough of them working hard enough to get back.
It was an awful goal to concede to a team who had won one of their last 26 games in European competition proper. Neil Lennon's side were quite clearly inferior to United, but had been given a gift.
The weakness on the counter-attack is also going to be something the opposition starts focusing on. Modern coaches use the term "rest defence" to talk about structure to avoid being broken on, but United's is quite clearly lacking at the moment.
Casemiro's audition
It was interesting to hear Ten Hag talk about Casemiro suffering "fitness problems" in his early weeks at United and he's certainly not looked as sharp as many expected since his £70million move from Real Madrid.
This was only a second start for the club, both in the Europa League, and he had clearly sharpened up since a pretty poor performance against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford.
He dropped deep to collect possession, usually from Victor Lindelof, and moved the ball forwards well. There were shades of what Ten Hag said he wanted from Frenkie de Jong in that approach.
This was definitely a step forward from Casemiro, but he did play 80 minutes and if those fitness concerns persist he might not be ready to face Everton in an intense Premier League game at Goodison Park, but his time is surely coming.
Shaw vs Malacia
Malacia might be Ten Hag's signing and he has made an impression in his short United career so far, but being hooked at half-time in a second successive game must put him at risk of losing his place.
The 23-year-old showed plenty of character when replacing Shaw at half-time at Brentford and has been first-choice left-back since then, but Shaw was impressive on international duty and Malacia has regressed.
He struggled against Phil Foden on Sunday and his poor touch cost United in the first half in Cyprus. Shaw has looked sharper in both of his second-half outings this week and did well with England, he deserves to reclaim his place.
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