Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United suffered a lot on Thursday to win the Europa League group stage against mediocre Omonia Nicosia, who came close to taking a point from Old Trafford itself. In the end Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t score, but Scott McTominay became his team’s hero by scoring the winning goal in the 93rd minute (1-0). In this group E, Real Sociedad is classified, but it does not yet know if it will be first or second. With 2 games left, Real, who beat Sheriff 3-0 on Thursday, have 12 points and United, 9.
Almost the whole game was a monologue from United, who dominated and had many chances. But Omonia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho put in a superb performance and Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates were unable to get past him until McTominay scored in stoppage time.
And it was Omonia Nicosia, with Cartagena’s Héctor Yuste in their defence, who proved invincible, to the despair of the Old Trafford fans. United tried and tried but to no avail. Marcus Rashford had the clearest chance in the first half, while CR7 unsuccessfully starred in several shots, neither was inspired.
The ‘red devils’, fifth in the Premier table, could not find a way to beat Uzoho. Bruno Fernandes tried it, as did Christian Eriksen when he entered the field. But for Neil Lennon, former Celtic manager and now manager of Omonia, the device he devised worked perfectly.
Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t go for more, but for less in the second half.
But McTominay appeared, coming on in the 81st minute for Casemiro. The Scotsman took advantage of a pass from Jadon Sancho to control and connect a shot that beat Uzoho.
Source: La Verdad
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