Manchester Utd are through to the next phase of the competition after a comfortable 3-0 success over Moldovan Champions Sheriff Tiraspol.
Man Utd had to wait until the 93rd minute in their last Europa League game before finding a winner against their defensive minded opponents, Omonia Nicosia but just before the break after dominating throughout the home side finally broke the deadlock. Diogo Dalot rose the highest to power home the opener from a corner.
Up to that point Utd were again struggling to put the ball into the net and in fact just before the goal Sheriff had their first meaningful attack of the night and Ibrahim Akanbi Rasheed missed a free header from six yards.
The hosts, with Christian Eriksen pulling the strings in midfield and Alejandro Garnacho causing problems out wide, it was a surprise it took Utd so long to score. Ronaldo had the best chance from a knockdown but from three yards allowed keeper Maxym Koval to smother the ball.
Anthony, Casemiro, Ronaldo, Eriksen and Tyrone Malacia all had efforts saved or off target as the Moldovan champions had a permanent ten man defence. Anthony it was who looked to have displeased his boss Erik ten Hag by showboating at one stage and the Brazilian failed to appear for the second half.
Sheriff showed slightly more attacking intent in the second 45 minutes but lacked the quality to trouble the Utd defence. Ronaldo should have sealed the game early on but after working an opening fired over and then frustratingly had a goal disallowed for offside.
But the hosts were not to be denied and on 65 minutes substitutes Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw combined for the former to head home. A quick break by the visitors saw Utd switch off but Cedric Badolo could only finish with a weak shot.
Rashford almost had a second but the Ukrainian keeper saved at full stretch. The game went a bit flat as Utd with victory assured eased up on the intensity and Sheriff went into damage limitation mode. Inevitably it was Ronaldo who made it three after the keeper could only parry his initial header the Portuguese star swept home the rebound.
Sheriff have now lost their last four matches without scoring and on a miserable night for them at Old Trafford they were second best throughout.
Full Time
Man Utd: 3 (Dalot 44, Rashford 65, Ronaldo 80)
Sheriff Tiraspol: 0
Venue: Old Trafford
Att 73,764
