Juan And Only: Mata On Target As Man Utd Progress To Last Eight Of Europa League (Video)

Alan Duffy

16th, March 2017

1 Comment

Manchester United booked their place in the last eight of the Europa League on Thursday, courtesy of a hard-fought 1-0 win over Rostov at Old Trafford (and a 2-1 aggregate score).

The game was set up nicely after the 1-1 first-leg draw in Russia, with the Red Devils the clear favourites to progress.

However, despite dominating for large periods of the game, the hosts struggled to open the scoring, with Henrik Mkhitaryan firing wide.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic came even closer for United, hitting the frame of the goal twice before the break.

United then lost Paul Pogba courtesy of a hamstring injury early in the second-half.

Rostov struggled to create much in the attacking third, but Iranian attacker Sardar Azmoun did force Sergio Romero into a decent save.

The Russians continued to push for a goal but ultimately, they would succumb to goal on the break from Juan Mata after a clever Ibrahimovic flick.

Centre-half Marcos Rojo needed a bit of added energy midway through the second-half, snacking on a banana passed to him by sub Ashley Young.

I wonder if the former Watford winger hands out segments of orange at half-time as well?

Romero was again forced into a fine save from a Christian Nobia free-kick at the death.

However, Jose Mourinho’s men would hang on to move into the last eight of the competition, with a second trophy this season now a strong possibility.