Marcus Rashford netted a double and fellow substitute Antony Martial also scored to spare Manchester United ’s blushes as they came from behind to defeat Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus.
United spurned multiple glorious openings in the opening quarter of the game with Antony’s decision to attempt a pass, rather than shoot or round the goalkeeper, when through on goal being the most glaring of the lot.
The visitors were made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal as they conceded a slick counter-attacking goal to Omonia, who scored with their first shot of the game in the 34 th minute. Bruno Felipe did the leg-work before playing in strike partner Karim Ansarifard, who sprung United’s offside trap and provided the precise finish past David De Gea.
Rashford, a half-time introduction, levelled things up with a superb finish from outside the area six minutes after he was brought on before he assisted strike partner Martial who also hit a superb strike within two minutes of his entrance.
United added a third when Rashford grabbed another from point-blank range from Cristiano Ronaldo ’s pulled effort across goal, before Nikolas Panagiotou set up a grandstand finish with a well-timed finish from another counter-attack from the hosts. But United ran out winners - and here are 5 talking points from an eventful night in Nicosia.
Rashford shows his worth
Marcus Rashford has enjoyed an encouraging start to the season – netting against Liverpool and striking twice in the victory over Arsenal. Having endured a difficult personal campaign last time out, he would have been hopeful of maintaining that momentum in the Europa League.
Have Your Say! Should Man Utd be favourites to win the Europa League this season? Tell us what you think here.
However, with Cristiano Ronaldo starting in this competition – the one constant rotation that Ten Hag has made with his Premier League – and Martial’s return to fitness, he has to keep up his scoring form, and he managed it here with two goals.
Ten Hag selection under scrutiny
Questions are likely to be asked as to why Erik ten Hag decided a virtually full-strength team for this clash, just three days ahead of a testing Premier League trip to Everton. The four-hour flight to Nicosia is gruelling in itself, while this game was always likely to be energy-zapping without an early lead.
Aside from Marcus Rashford and Raphael Varane (absent through injury), this was a full-strength United side against the team who were rank outsiders in their Europa League group. It is an early indicator of how Ten Hag is unwilling to rotate and perhaps an idea into his valuation of players who didn’t start.
…but subs make the difference
While Ten Hag is unlikely to be overly impressed with his team’s display, his second half introductions of Rashford and Martial made instant impacts. Rashford scored within eight minutes of his half-time introduction, while he set up strike partner Martial for his fine goal within two minutes of being brought on.
Martial was perhaps the only player to come out of Sunday’s derby demolition with any credit, having netted twice following his introduction. The Frenchman is looking to put his recent injury problems behind him and is showing signs that he is deserving of greater prominence.
Malacia’s double indignity
Tyrell Malacia was substituted off at half-time in Sunday’s chastening derby day defeat against Manchester City, with Luke Shaw brought on in his place. The same substitution was made by Ten Hag in Nicosia, again withdrawing the Dutch international at the halfway mark.
Malacia had made an encouraging start to life at Old Trafford with fans appreciative of his tenacity, energy, tactical discipline and willingness to get forward. However, he has endured two difficult performances and was one of a series of players at fault of Omonia’s opener.
Luke Shaw is now firmly fighting for the starting left-back spot with the summer arrival from Feyenoord, with Ten Hag’s preference in the position now open to question.
Ronaldo’s wait goes on
With Cristiano Ronaldo left out of United’s last five Premier League starting line-ups, the Europa League is where he needs to show that he can push himself back into contention. His penalty in the win at FC Sheriff was his 699 th in club football, and the wait for his 700 th is proving to be agonising.
Having sat out the entirety of United’s derby loss on Sunday, he was desperate to find the net here but despite multiple efforts on goal – including hitting the post from point-blank range late in the second half – his luck and scoring prowess continued to be out.
