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Zorya Luhansk 0-2 Manchester United: Talking points as Henrikh Mkhitaryan inspires victory

Manchester United

Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored his first goal for Manchester United as Jose Mourinho's side booked their place in the Europa League last 32 with a comfortable 2-0 win over Zorya Luhansk.

The Armenia international opened the scoring with a fine individual effort early in the second half, before Zlatan Ibrahimovic made the result safe when he coolly dispatched his seventh goal in the last six games from Paul Pogba's pass.

From Mkhitaryan's impact to Mourinho's Europa League approach, we round up three of the top talking points from the game…

Mkhitaryan's magic

It was fitting for Mkhitaryan to open his Manchester United account in Ukraine. The playmaker spent three seasons with Shakhtar Donetsk earlier in his career, and he still holds the national record for league goals in a season with his tally of 24 in 2012/13.

It's a reminder of just how dangerous he can be, and after a slow start in the Premier League, United will be hoping his first goal in a red shirt is a sign of what's to come. It was brilliantly taken. Mkhitaryan created the opening with a clever nutmeg on Rafael Forster, and his side-footed finish gave Zorya's advancing goalkeeper no chance.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored for Manchester United
Image: Mkhitaryan has had to be patient for his chance at Manchester United

His lively all-round performance was in keeping with his recent form. Mkhitaryan claimed two assists in United's EFL Cup thrashing of West Ham last week, and he impressed again on only his second Premier League start against Everton on Sunday. Indeed, it was only after his withdrawal at Goodison Park that United conceded the equaliser.

A third consecutive start suggests he has finally won over his manager, and his impressive impact makes you wonder why exactly it took so long.

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Mkhitaryan was a constant menace at the Chornomorets Stadium. He popped up on both flanks and in central areas, and his influence was shown by the fact he had more touches (78) than any of United's other attackers.

Mkhi guides Utd into last 32
Mkhi guides Utd into last 32

Read our match report from Man Utd's 2-0 win over Zorya.

His breakaway goal was an example of his devastating speed and directness on the break, and he also mucked in defensively. He could be seen dropping into the left-back position shortly before his late substitution, and only Eric Bailly and Ander Herrera made more tackles. That, you suspect, will have pleased Mourinho just as much as his goal.

Bailly is back

Eric Bailly made his first appearance since suffering a serious knee injury during United's 4-0 defeat to Chelsea back in October. The £30m summer signing partnered Marcos Rojo in central defence, and his return to action was a timely boost for Mourinho ahead of the busy festive period.

There were a couple of anxious moments. He needed treatment after a clash with Zorya's Denis Bonaventure in the second half, and he could count himself fortunate not be shown a second yellow card for kicking out at Jaba Liparti in stoppage time.

Eric Bailly made his first appearance for Manchester United since October
Image: Eric Bailly made his first appearance for United since October

That rash moment was a glimpse of the 22-year-old's relative inexperience, but his otherwise assured performance was vital in helping United keep only their second clean sheet in the last eight games.

Bailly was one of few bright spots for United before his injury, and he picked up where he left off against Zorya. The Ivorian made more tackles and interceptions (eight) than any other player on the pitch, with one acrobatic intervention in the second half preventing a Zorya one-on-one.

Eric Bailly vs Zorya Luhansk

Discipline Total Man Utd rank
Tackles 5 1st
Interceptions 3 1st
Clearances 4 2nd
Passing accuracy 93.2% 1st

Bailly was a commanding presence throughout, and his confident distribution helped United in possession, too. He completed 69 of his 74 passes over the course of the 90 minutes, giving him a higher success rate (93.2 per cent) than anyone else.

Phil Jones and Rojo have acquitted themselves well in Bailly's absence, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see him keep his place in the side against Tottenham on Nissan Super Sunday.

Mourinho's Europa League mission

United only needed a point to book their place in the knockout stages but with the exception of Sergio Romero in goal and Ashley Young at right-back, Mourinho named arguably his strongest available team.

It's clear he is taking the competition seriously, and he is wise to do so. The Europa League has not always been an attractive proposition for a club of United's stature, but the winner is rewarded with a place in the Champions League and Mourinho's side are already nine points off the Premier League's top four after their stuttering start to the domestic campaign.

FC Zorya Luhansk midfielder Zeljko Ljubenovic (L) vies for the ball with Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Image: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored United's second goal in the 88th minute

There is, of course, plenty of time to make up that ground in the Premier League, but the Europa League provides another, potentially easier route. United qualified for the last 32 as group runners-up, but a potential draw with either Fiorentina, Roma or Shakhtar is about as tough as it gets.

Mourinho's men are strong favourites to go on and lift the trophy with Sky Bet. Their strongest competition might come from Sunday's Premier League opponents Tottenham, but the last 32 does not appear too daunting when you consider it contained the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and Napoli last season.

The Premier League remains the main focus and United will be desperate to get back on track against Spurs, but it's easy to see why Mourinho is not taking their European campaign lightly.

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