Cristiano Ronaldo’s 78th minute goal and Jordan Sancho’s strike on the stroke of full-time handed Manchester United a vital 1-0 away win to Villarreal on Tuesday evening.
In scoring in Spain not only did Ronaldo end some sort of a goal drought but he also pushed United top of Group F of the Uefa Champions League.
For Sancho, it was first goal in United’s shirt after playing over 10 games since his big money transfer from Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga.
The Red Devils have 10 points from five games pulling three points clear of Villarreal who also lost the away leg at Old Trafford with Ronaldo on target in that game.
The win saw United begin the post-Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era with the laboured win with Michael Carrick in charge.
Interim coach Carrick, who was the sacked Norwegian manager’s assistant, named a changed starting XI with well-known players such as Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandez benched.
Carrick has handed starting roles to the likes of wingback Telles and midfielder Van de Beek with Ronaldo leading the front line.
United were desperate to bounce back from Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Watford.
Both teams were then tied on seven points each at the summit of the group.
Starting XI:
Villarreal XI: Rulli, Foyth, Albiol, P Torres, Estupinan, Parejo, Capoue, Trigueros, Gomez, Danjuma, Pino
Man United XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles; McTominay, Fred; Sancho, Van de Beek, Martial; Ronaldo.