Our 3️⃣ points as Man United survive a nervy affair in Cyprus | OneFootball

Manchester United got back to winning ways as Erik ten Hag’s side pulled off a nervy victory over Omonia in Thursday’s Europa League action.

Here’s what we made of it.

Changes provide balance

Manchester United fans must’ve been fearing the worse when, after a half of almost total control, they saw their side fall behind to Neil Lennon’s Omonia.

Despite controlling the ball and possession, United lacked a cutting edge in the first period as most of the play was constructed in front of a deep-lying Cypriot defence.

As the minutes ticked on, Omonia gained confidence and a swift counter-attack after Tyrell Malacia had cheaply surrendered possession led to a shock opener.

Erik ten Hag replied by making a pair of changes at half-time as Jadon Sancho and Malacia were replaced by Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford – this change of personnel was exactly what they needed.

Rashford immediately threatened in behind and got the visitors level before providing the assist to Anthony Martial, who had just come on the field for Bruno Fernandes, to put United ahead.

As the second period progressed chances grew in quality and frequency for Ten Hag’s team and Rashford would add a third in the final 10 minutes.

Balance is still the key for Manchester United’s new boss as finding his best XI amongst the quality in depth at his availability remains the biggest challenge.

Packed and noisy house

Omonia went into their clash with Manchester United sitting in fourth place in the Cypriot league, so their chances of pulling off a result were thin to say the least.

Hope wasn’t what packed the GSP Stadium, which can hold just shy of 23,000 people, but a chance to see some of global football’s biggest names in their own back garden.

Manager Neil Lennon, best known for his time at the shelf of Celtic, issued a rallying cry for the 12th man leading up to the game and the supporters replied in splendid fashion.

The cacophony of noise in a cauldron-like atmosphere translated so well over television that it left us in awe as to how it must’ve sounded and felt in person.

Every pass, tackle, save and run was met by a thunderous roar of support as the fans broke into delirious scenes of jubilation when they saw their side take the lead.

Despite the English giants gaining control and scoring three times without reply in the second period, the decibels never drop and they were rewarded with a second goal in the dying minutes of the game.

Their side may not have picked up any points, but they will have gained a fan or two around the world after that.

Huffing and puffing

So, what to do with Cristian Ronaldo?

The Portuguese superstar returned to the starting line-up having been an unused substitute against Man City, a decision Ten Hag justified somewhat bemusingly as a sign of “respect”.

Seeing the Champions League all-time record goal scorer appear on Thursday evening still doesn’t seem right, and he certainly doesn’t seem to be enjoying it in the slightest.

Two chances came his way in the first period, one denied by Fabiano Freitas and the other well blocked by a defender, were all there was to write home about as the agitation grew increasingly visible on the five-time Ballon d’Or winners’ face.

For a player that has had confidence in abundance throughout his career, it seems at an all-time low these days and hitting the post from within the six-yard area with no goalkeeper won’t have done him any favours.

A frustrated figure all night, Ronaldo cracked his first visible smile in the final 10 minutes of the game as, whilst hunting for his 700th career goal, the 37-year-old scuffed a shot which was tapped in at the back post by Rashford.

Ronaldo turned away before embracing the England international with a big smile that, although may have been genuine, looked hard to muster.