Manchester United came away with all three points in a 3-2 win against Omonia in Cyprus. Goals from substitutes Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial ensured that there was no upsets in this fixture. United will host Omonia next week in the reverse fixture.
Omonia vs Manchester United Match Summary
Erik ten Hag surprisingly named a very strong lineup with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Antony all starting. Ten Hag’s men began the game on the front foot and should have had three or four goals by the half hour mark. Ronaldo saw his drilled effort saved, while Fernandes hit the bar and Antony squandered a great chance.
Against the run of play it was the hosts who took the lead. Jadon Sancho put pressure on Tyrell Malacia, who lost his footing and Omonia were away. The home side executed the counter attack perfectly with Karim Ansarifard firing past David de Gea. It was an awful goal to concede from United’s perspective.
The Red Devils did improve after the break with the introduction of Rashford, Martial and Shaw. Rashford got one back immediately with a fine finish into the bottom right corner. Martial then gave the Reds the lead with his few first touches of the bar with a sublime finish.
Rashford then got his second of the night, getting on the end of Ronaldo’s cross-shot. United should have won in a much more comfortable manner with Ronaldo missing many chances late on. The 37-year-old hit the post from a few yards out and then failed to get on the end of Rashford’s pass.
Omonia did get a goal back late on through Nikolas Panayiotou, however this goal was merely a consolation.
Manchester United vs Omonia Player Ratings
David de Gea 6/10
Let down by his defence for both goals and apart from that had a quiet evening.
Diogo Dalot 6/10
Looked slightly leggy and could do with a rest. Was decent on the ball and wasn’t tested at the back.
Victor Lindelof 6/10
Positive in possession and solid throughout. Lost the ball in the build up of the last goal.
Lisandro Martinez 8/10
A near-perfect display from the Argentine. Made numerous defence splitting passes and put in a man of the match display.
Tyrell Malacia 3/10
Taken off at half time for the second game in a row. Lost his footing for the first goal and had no end product throughout the first half. Luke Shaw needs to replace the youngster at Everton.
Casemiro 6/10
Didn’t have a lot of defensive work to do and was decent on the ball. In line for his first Premier League start at the weekend.
Christian Eriksen 5/10
A poor game by his standards. Delivery was poor at set pieces and left the goal scorer unmarked in the first goal. Needs to play his way out of this form.
Bruno Fernandes 7/10
Lively throughout. A constant threat on and off the ball in the first half, creating numerous chances. Hit the bar and also got an assist for Rashford’s first with a beautiful long range pass. Taken off for Martial around the hour mark.
Antony 7/10
A threat throughout. Went on a mazy run in the first half and tested the keeper with a long range effort. Passed up a good chance in the first half but improved in the second period. Looks more and more like a United player.
Jadon Sancho 3/10
Passive and poor. Played the ball backwards to Malacia with almost the entire team forward. Not taking enough risks and needs to be dropped at the weekend. Extremely poor from the Englishman.
Cristiano Ronaldo 5/10
Movement was good and was a threat throughout. On another night he would have had a handful of goals but was wasteful in this encounter.
Subs
Marcus Rashford 9/10
Changed the game and made an immediate impact. Scored twice and grabbed an assist. In the form of his life at the moment. Unstoppable.
Luke Shaw 6/10
Massively improved the output on the left flank. Deserves a start against Everton.
Anthony Martial 8/10
Made an impact off the bench for the second consecutive game. Looks alert and dangerous and should start against Everton.
Fred 6/10
Had the desired effect. More control and defensive protection to see out the game. Could come in for Eriksen at the weekend.
Scott McTominay 6/10
Came on late on.
Manager: Erik ten Hag 7/10
Perhaps should have rotated more but got the job done with a strong team. The likes of Sancho and Malacia need to be dropped with Shaw and Martial coming in at the weekend. Substitutions were perfect and had a devastating impact.
