📰 Table Of Contents
Match report
Premier League giants Manchester United got their form firmly back on track on Thursday evening, courtesy of a crucial victory on the continent.
The Red Devils, of course, were back in action a short time ago.
Fresh off a 6-3 drubbing at the hands of derby rivals Man City in their post-international break return at the weekend, Erik ten Hag’s troops made the trip to Cyprus, for a Europa League group stage meeting with Neil Lennon’s Omonia.
United headed into proceedings as overwhelming favourites to take all three points, a point of view only reinforced upon the club’s strong starting XI being unveiled ahead of kick-off:
🔴📋
➡ Representing the Reds this evening…#MUFC || #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 6, 2022
In turn, pulses were set racing across the Reds’ fanbase just beyond the half-hour mark, upon Karim Ansarifard putting the evening’s hosts in front courtesy of a fine near post finish:
Europa League nights always produce headlines… 💫
Omonia are 1-0 up against Manchester United thanks to this brilliant counter-attack!! 😲#UEL pic.twitter.com/T1hSz05RLQ
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 6, 2022
A half-time change on the part of boss Ten Hag, though, soon proved the catalyst for a timely turnaround on the part of the evening’s visitors.
The difference maker!! 💫
7 minutes after coming on as a substitute, Marcus Rashford equalises for Manchester United!!❤️#UEL pic.twitter.com/fhhuDUaNMc
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 6, 2022
And the England international turned provider a short time later, in teeing up fellow substitute Anthony Martial’s go-ahead strike:
You can’t knock Ten Hag’s half-time changes!! 🤩
The assist from Rashford. The finish from Martial. Manchester United are 2-1 up! 👌#UEL pic.twitter.com/zQ8mihU2Ea
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 6, 2022
There was even time for Rashford to add his 2nd of the night, too, latching onto a Cristiano Ronaldo cross/shot across the face of goal five minutes from time.
Hosts Omonia, to their credit, did manage to pull one back just moments later, but, upon the final whistle sounding in Nicosia, it proved little more than a consolation in a 3-2 victory for Manchester United.
Job done in Nicosia! ✔#MUFC || #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 6, 2022
Player ratings
Omonia
Fabiano – 5.5
Adam Matthews – 5
Nemanja Miletic – 5
Hector Yuste – 5.5
Adam Lang – 5
Jan Lecjaks – 5.5
Mix Diskerud – 4.5
Charalampos Charalampous – 6
Brandon Barker – 5.5
Bruno Felipe – 5
Karim Ansarifard – 6.5
Subs:
Nikolas Panagiotou – 6
FT: Omonia Nicosia 2-3 Manchester United
It may not have been Cristiano Ronaldo’s night but the Red Devil’s still managed to pull off the comeback! ❤️#UEL pic.twitter.com/Gmb4y8vpHx
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 6, 2022
Manchester United
David de Gea – 5
Diogo Dalot – 6.5
Victor Lindelof – 6
Lisandro Martinez – 7
Tyrell Malacia – 4.5
Casemiro – 5.5
Christian Eriksen – 6.5
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Antony – 5
Jadon Sancho – 4
Cristiano Ronaldo – 4.5
Subs:
Luke Shaw – 5.5
Marcus Rashford – 9
Anthony Martial – 7.5
Social media reaction
No way United just conceded to Omonia. They deadass don’t even have a badge 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/lXkH4sook9
— 8 (@The_Gerrard_Era) October 6, 2022
At this point, it feels like Manchester United, a once great British institution, is now more of a sporting enigma than a football powerhouse.
They go in at half-time 1-0 down to Omonia Nicosia, of Cyprus 🫣 pic.twitter.com/sZ92NsuxXF
— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) October 6, 2022
Marcus Rashford has scored his 97th goal for Manchester United. Cristiano Ronaldo (143) is the only active player with more.
Having a great start to the season. 👏 pic.twitter.com/Bq7TCu2V3Z
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) October 6, 2022
🤯 Anthony Martial has been on the pitch 77 minutes for Manchester United this season and has three goals and one assist #UEL
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) October 6, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo missed from here 😲 pic.twitter.com/z6MZ3s1pXG
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) October 6, 2022
Marcus Rashford has now scored as many goals in 8 games this season (5) as he managed during the entire 2021/22 campaign.
Guess who’s back. 😤 pic.twitter.com/EQ12X03ud0
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 6, 2022
Not Ronaldo’s night 😔 pic.twitter.com/JlpAPC0sKC
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 6, 2022
Lisandro Martínez vs. Omonia:
◉ Most passes
◉ Most passes into final ⅓
◉ Most passes into opp. half
◉ Most accuracte long balls
◉ Most clearancesSpraying it around in Cyprus. 🎯#UEL pic.twitter.com/kVeArIeFur
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 6, 2022
Man United fans send Cristiano Ronaldo message to Erik ten Hag during Omonia clash