Chris Smalling suggests Manchester United were greatly assisted by St Etienne's supporters this evening.

The Red Devils met the French side at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on the back of last Thursday's 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in the Round of 32 first leg.

It could have been a danger second leg for United but Smalling felt the fervent Les Verts fans made it feel like a genuine European contest which helped he and his teammates edge a 1-0 victory.

"I think their crowd helped us to be fair, they made sure that we didn't go through the motions and it was a proper game and I think we did a good job from start to finish," Smalling told BT Sport 3.

"If we can keep this run going, who knows what can happen?"

United, who tasted success through Henrikh Mkhitaryan's first-half goal, will learn their Round of 16 opponent in Friday night's draw.