Manchester United won for the first time in 10 away games in Europe and advanced to the Europa League knockout stage by defeating Zorya Luhansk 2-0 on Thursday.
Another defeat and a Feyenoord win in the other Group A match, and United would have been eliminated.
But midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s first goal for United to begin the second half ended the team’s frustration, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic came through at the end for his seventh goal in his last six matches.
“The first goal was magnificent,” Ibrahimovic said on MUTV. “He came in speed and had control all the way. Then the timing to put between the legs was beautiful. He killed the game by scoring.”
Manchester United are through to the Europa League knockout stage courtesy of Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s fine first goal for the club and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s late finish. José Mourinho’s team finished second in their group, however, so will be unseeded in Monday’s draw for the round of 32.
A first away win in the competition was marred by an outbreak of violence during the interval, moreover, and there was disappointment for Wayne Rooney, who remains stuck on 248 goals and still in need of two more to become the club’s all-time record scorer.
A group of around 200 United fans heading to the stadium were pelted with bottles and stones by local fans. Police prevented fighting.
In another incident, some Ukrainian fans also tried to attack United supporters in the stadium, The Associated Press witnessed. This follows major trouble two nights ago in the capital of Ukraine around the Dynamo Kiev-Besiktas match.
SOUTHAMPTON 1, HAPOEL BEER-SHEVA 1
Southampton was eliminated in its maiden Europa League campaign.
The sides drew 0-0 in Israel and were tied for second in Group K.
Whereas Rooney was suspended for Sunday, and Bailly, a first-choice centre-back until the knee injury that caused the Ivorian to miss nine games, having last featured in the 4-0 loss at Chelsea on 23 October.
Of his return Mourinho said:“It’s important, I think [Phil] Jones and Marcos [Rojo] did five good matches in a row so but they can’t always do it – just those two. Having Eric back, albeit for just two weeks before he goes to the Africa Cup of Nations, allows us to rotate a little before Christmas.”
In Group G, Celta Vigo progressed with a 2-0 win at Panathinaikos. Striker John Guidetti headed in the opener four minutes into the game, and Fabian Orellana doubled the lead in the second half from the spot.
AZ Alkmaar qualified from second place in Group D after beating group winner Zenit St. Petersburg 3-2. Ben Rienstra, Ridgeciano Haps, and Muamer Tankovic scored for the Dutch side. Giuliano pulled one back for Zenit, and Stijn Wuytens’ own goal settled the score.
A 0-0 home draw with Group E winner Roma meant Romania’s Astra advanced with the Italian club.
Saint-Etienne came from two goals down to beat Anderlecht 3-2 and claim Group C, after both had qualified.
Fiorentina moved into the knockout stage from the first place in Group J after beating Azerbaijan’s Qarabag 2-1.
Matias Vecino’s first goal of the season put Fiorentina 1-0 up an hour in, and substitute forward Reynaldo leveled in the 73rd. But three minutes later, Federico Chiesa netted the winner.
Thirteen other clubs made the knockout stage in the previous rounds. Four sides qualified with two matches to spare: Four-time European Cup winner Ajax, St. Petersburg, Shakhtar Donetsk and Schalke. The qualifiers after five matches were Roma, Anderlecht, APOEL, Athletic Bilbao, Genk, Krasnodar, Olympiakos, Saint-Etienne, and Sparta Prague.
Eight other teams who played in the Champions League and finished third in their groups secured a consolation spot in the Europa League: Besiktas, Copenhagen, Legia Warsaw, Ludogorets, Lyon, Borussia Moenchengladbach, Rostov, and Tottenham.
Leave a Reply