Man United were second in Group E after winning three of their four Europa League games so far. A draw was enough to see them through to the next round, but they needed a win to challenge Real Sociedad for the top spot. Erik ten Hag’s side drew against Chelsea on the weekend and are unbeaten in six games in all competitions, and their thirst made it count++.
Ten Hag made four changes to Man United’s starting lineup from the weekend as Lindelof, Malacia, Garnacho, and Ronaldo came into the team.
Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): David de Gea; Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia; Christian Eriksen, Casemiro; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho; Cristiano Ronaldo.
SUBS: Anthony Elanga, Martin Dubravka, Fred, Tom Heaton, Zidane Iqbal, Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Facundo Pellistri, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Luke Shaw, Donny van de Beek.
Another proud night for our #MUAcademy ❤
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 27, 2022
➡ @AGarnacho7 makes his first senior start in one of four United changes!#MUFC || #UEL
No Moldovan side has ever beaten an English club in major European competitions (P5 W0 D1 L4), losing both such matches away from home: Zimbru Chisinau at Spurs in September 1999 and Sheriff Tiraspol also at Spurs in 2013. And the count goes on.
Sheriff had to win if they wanted any chance of progressing to the next round of this competition, but a draw was enough to secure a spot in the Europa Conference League in the new year. Sheriff are still top of the Moldovan top division but lost to second-place Petrocub on the weekend.
Victor Mihailov also made four changes as Koval, Kpozo, Badolo, and Kyabou all started in the hope of changing the inevitable.
Sheriff Tiraspol XI (4-5-1): Maksym Koval; Renan Guedes, Gaby Kiki, Stjepan Radeljic, Patrick Kpozo; Cedric Badolo, Mouhamed Diop, Moussa Kyabou, Mudasiru Salifu, Rasheed Ibrahim; Iyayi Atiemwen.
SUBS: Nichita Covali, Pernambuco, Heron, Serghei Pascenco, Danila Ignatov, Felipe Vizeu, Adrian Hatman, Dumitru Celeadnic, Eugeniu Gliga.
Man United were enjoying a lot of the ball in the early minutes, but they were outnumbered in the final third as Sheriff defended with almost all 11 players behind the ball. Sheriff were struggling to string a few passes together in the opposition half, making it easy for Man United to regain possession while Eriksen was dictating the match with his vision and passes.
Man United have lost just one of their last 20 matches at Old Trafford in the Europa League (W15 D4), although that defeat did come on Match-Day-1 against Real Sociedad. The Red Devils have only once lost two home group stage games in a single campaign – in the 1996-97 UEFA Champions League.
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Sheriff were trying to slow the game down as they looked to enter the break without conceding. They were on track but forgot the threat of conceding a corner kick. Eriksen took the perfect corner as he picked out Dalot completely unopposed at the front post to head the hosts into the lead.
Breaking the deadlock 🔓#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/iydkrYtfMZ
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 27, 2022
Man United dominated the ball in the half and created a few good opportunities. The best chance, before the goal, fell to Ronaldo as he failed to score from five yards out after Fernandes' knockdown. Koval made four saves in the half for Sheriff but could not stop Dalot's header in the 44th minute. Sheriff struggled to move the ball into the final third and create any good attacks.
Man United were committing a lot of players forward in search of a second goal. Dalot and Malacia pushed high up the pitch, leaving Maguire and Lindelof at the back. Man United forced Sheriff to go long every time they get the ball. The visitors failed their way around the press and lost the ball subsequently.
Shaw replaced the goal-scorer in the Man United defense and didn't take long to mark his presence. A good overlapping run around Eriksen and then played a first-time cross to Rashford in the box to get an assist for Man United.
Born to play in red and white.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 27, 2022
❤️ @MarcusRashford #MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/rQ41DbIoBb
Man United were far more comfortable in this game as they eased up their pressing and looked to prioritize a clean sheet.
Sheriff lost each of their last three matches in the Europa League, failing to score in each game. Sheriff had never previously lost four games in a row in major European competitions, but today it was far from preventing that. To seal the deal, Ronaldo made it three for Man United! Fernandes bent a cross to the striker, whose initial header was saved by Koval, but he fired the rebound home with his left foot.
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This win keeps Man United within a chance of still finishing top of their group while Sheriff are now out of the Europa League. Man United will face West Ham before traveling to Real Sociedad next week for the group decider; Sheriff will need a draw at home against Omonia to secure a spot in the Europa Conference League.
