Cristiano Ronaldo finally got his first goal of the season as Manchester United defeated Sheriff 2-0 in UEFA Europa League action on Thursday evening.
Coach Erik Ten Hag recalled the regulars that started in the last four Premier League games, although Ronaldo started in place of the injured Marcus Rashford.
Ronaldo felt he should have had a penalty with 15 minutes played in the first half, but the Video Assistant Referee waved away the appeals following Kiki's challenge.
The visitors grabbed the breakthrough a couple minutes later when Christian Eriksen's clever pass found Jadon Sancho, who did well to beat one challenge before firing into the bottom corner.
Ronaldo was presented with a chance to double United's lead in the 32nd minute after getting on the end of 'Anthony's pass over the top, but he blasted his strike over the crossbar.
United were awarded a penalty a few minutes before the break when Patrick Kpozo brought down Diogo Dalot in the box, which allowed Ronaldo to step up and convert his first goal for the season.
Ten Hag made his first switch at the start of the second half, as Scott McTominay made way for Brazil international Casemiro.
Sheriff were nearly gifted a way back when Tyrell Malacia's poor played in Nigerian striker Ibrahim Rasheed who spotted David de Gea off his line, but his volley sailed over the crossbar just before the hour mark.
United managed to carve out another chance for Ronaldo on 70 minutes with a well-worked move in the final third but when Malacia's pass found the Portuguese on the end of the box, he sent his effort high and wide.
The hosts did have a chance to pull one back in the final few stages from a dead-ball situation, although Felipe Vizeu's strike from the edge of the box was saved by De Gea, who held on for the clean sheet as United claim their first win in the group stages.
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