Manchester United struck in the dying stages of the second half to secure a 1-0 win over Omonia Nicosia in UEFA Europa League action on Thursday night.
UEFA Europa League
Result: Manchester United 1-0 Omonia Nicosia
Date: 13 October 2022
Venue: Old Trafford
Man United made only two changes to the side that won the reverse clash 3-2 a week ago, as Fred and Marcus Rashford were both recalled in places of Christian Eriksen and Jadon Sancho.
The Red Devils had a bright start as Rashford came close to putting them ahead within the first two minutes with a curling strike towards the top corner that produced a reflex save from goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.
Erik ten Hag's charges continued to create chances as Rashford was presented with another good opportunity just before the half-hour mark after he raced through on goal but his low curled was parried away from the bottom corner by Uzoho.
United were not giving Omonia time to breathe and Casemiro came close to breaking the deadlock a couple of minutes later with a strike from range that rattled the crossbar.
However, Neil Lennon's men had a big chance shortly before the interval from a counter-attack after Bruno went clear on goal but instead of squaring to the unmarked Andronikos Kakoullis, he went for goal and dragged his shot over and wide.
Ozoho continued to keep United at bay early in the second stanza after making a double save to deny Antony and Rashford.
As the hosts gained momentum, Rashford should have given them the lead on the hour-mark after breaking away clear on goal but he sent his shot slightly wide with only Ozoho to beat.
Ten Hag made an attacking change on the hour-mark as Sancho replaced Antony and with the game on the edge ten minutes later, Eriksen came on for Fred for fresh legs in midfield.
With United pushing Omonia back in their own half in the closing stages, Scott McTominay came close to breaking the deadlock eight minutes before time with a cracking low strike from the edge of the box that was brilliantly thwarted by Ozoho.
However, the Red Devils remained a threat in the dying minutes and McTominay eventually snatched the winner in stoppage time with a low strike in the box after a clever cut-back by Sancho.
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