UEL : Francis Uzoho Named Man Of The Match After Almost frustrating Manchester United

Scott McTominay broke Omonia Nicosia hearts with a 93rd minute winner to seal a vital three factors for Manchester United within the UEFA Europa League (UEL). It took the Previous Trafford outfit 34 pictures to interrupt the Cypriot aspect’s defences on an evening of wastefulness from United.

Having fallen behind within the reverse fixture, Erik ten Hag named a robust beginning aspect as he regarded to keep away from a repeat of the nerves of final week’s assembly. United had been straight onto the assault, forcing stand-in goalkeeper Francis Uzoho right into a spectacular early save to disclaim Marcus Rashford. The Purple Devils continued to press for an opener and Uzoho was available to smother Rashford once more after the Omonia surrendered the ball within the ultimate third.

The Nigerian shot-stopper remained busy and denied Rashford for a 3rd time, getting fingertips to an effort that was destined for the underside nook. The guests had been below relentless stress and Uzoho was the one man stopping United taking the lead. His finest save of the half got here to disclaim Casemiro a primary aim for the membership, tipping his long-range effort onto the bar.

Fred and Casemiro each missed headers earlier than the break, however United had been very almost caught chilly by Neil Lennon’s males on the counter. Bruno broke away down the left and had a golden alternative to sq. to Andronikos Kakoullis for a tap-in, however he opted to shoot as a substitute, blazing excessive and broad of David De Gea’s aim, enraging his supervisor within the course of.

The hosts rattled in 15 pictures within the first half, greater than some other aspect on this season’s UEL inside 45 minutes, however in the end had nothing to indicate for his or her efforts and wanted to sharpen up their assault. Inside 25 seconds of the restart, United spurned additional probabilities to interrupt the impasse. Uzoho denied Antony, earlier than brilliantly scrambling throughout his aim to disclaim Rashford on the rebound.

United proceed to waste probability after probability, with Rashford performed in on aim solely to fireside broad. Moments later, Fernandes missed on the close to publish from Jadon Sancho’s pull-back, with Ronaldo hitting the side-netting shortly afterwards. Late substitute Scott McTominay was denied by Uzoho shortly after approaching, however he could be the person to lastly break probably the most cussed of rearguards.

Sancho’s deflected cross dropped to the Scotsman, who drove his effort low and laborious, proving too highly effective for the heroic Uzoho. A vital late aim saved United’s hopes of automated qualification to the final 16 alive, however Omonia enhanced their status with an unimaginable show of defending.