Sherriff Tiraspol 0-2 Man Utd: Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo help Erik ten Hag's side bounce back in Europa League
Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo on target as Man Utd bounce back from Real Sociedad defeat; United move up to second in Europa League Group E behind Sociedad; United next face Neil Lennon's Omonia from Cyprus in the competition after the international break on October 6
Friday 16 September 2022 11:44, UK
Jadon Sancho produced the perfect response to being left out of the England squad as he scored in Manchester United's 2-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol to help get their Europa League campaign up and running.
After losing their opening Group E game to Real Sociedad 1-0 last Thursday at Old Trafford, it was vital United bounced back in Moldova and first-half goals from Sancho (17) and Cristiano Ronaldo (39) ensured they did just that.
- How the teams lined up | Match stats
- Europa League results | Fixtures | Group tables
- Sancho left out of England squad
Sancho finished off a fine move with a scuffed effort on his left after Christian Eriksen's reverse pass, before Ronaldo scored the 699th goal of his club career - and first of the season - from the penalty spot on a comfortable evening for Erik ten Hag's side.
"Ronaldo needed that goal," Ten Hag told MUTV. "Many times he came close, but he wanted that so much. We are happy for him and the team wanted to bring him a goal. You know that Cristiano will score a penalty."
The win - United's third in a row on the road - moves the Premier League side up to second in the group behind Sociedad, while Sheriff drop to third but are level with United on three points.
How Sancho and Ronaldo fired Man Utd back on track
United were second best in the opening stages of Thursday night's game in Moldova, but managed to open the scoring 17 minutes in, as Sancho finished off a slick move for his third of the season, dedicating his goal to a young fan who had gifted him a pair of personalised shin pads.
Sancho was inches away from doubling his tally and United's lead 37 minutes in after being picked out by Antony, when his side-footed effort beat Sheriff goalkeeper Maksym Koval only to be stopped on the line by captain Stjepan Radeljic.
Just two minutes later, Ronaldo doubled United's lead from the penalty spot, sending Koval the wrong way as he went straight down the middle after a clumsy challenge by Sheriff defender Patrick Kpozo on Diogo Dalot.
Bruno Fernandes, who cut a frustrated figured all evening, tried to get in on the act in the second half, but his first-time effort after a low cross from Dalot was straight at Koval in the Sheriff goal.
Ronaldo thought Eriksen had teed him up for goal number 700 of his club career only for Radeljic to produce a vital touch to take the ball away from the 37-year-old international, who could only look up at the sky in disbelief.
Sheriff showed glimpses of quality in their build-up play, but failed to carve out any clear-cut chances or test David de Gea and it seems clear after two games that it will be Sociedad and United fighting for top spot, with the final match of the group in Spain set to be decisive.
England Watch: Sancho sends Southgate selection message
England manager Gareth Southgate's decision to leave Jadon Sancho out of his final squad prior to the World Cup raised a few eyebrows on Thursday.
Jack Grealish and Jarrod Bowen making the cut ahead of him did not do anything to help that. Sancho's three goals this season is superior to the tally of the selected pair combined.
Sancho, who has been rejuvenated under Erik ten Hag this season, proceeded to turn up the pressure on Southgate a couple of notches with his timely performance against Sheriff just a few hours after the announcement.
The former Borussia Dortmund forward has been kept out of the England picture for almost a year. Even when he was in the squad for the Euros, Sancho was restricted to one start throughout the tournament.
Clearly, he has work to do to convince Southgate of his quality before the World Cup. But now he can't do it in person with the England group, it leaves Sancho with a steep mountain to climb.
It feels as though, at this stage, Sancho would have to produce something quite incredible to get a spot on the plane to Qatar - and even then, Southgate still might go with his favourites.
Meanwhile, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, the two United players to be picked by Southgate, had to settle with coming off the bench. In Maguire's case, he was brought on in the final minute of the game.
Sancho keeping World Cup hopes alive
Man Utd forward Jadon Sancho:
"That [the World Cup] is one of the targets.
"It is unfortunate that I didn't get the call-up but I have to keep focusing on myself and keep working hard, week-in and week-out.
"So that is what I am going to do."
Ten Hag: Sancho can give us much more
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag speaking to MUTV:
"Difficult start, the opponent played direct and we lost too many second balls at the start of the game. I think when we found a better formation, especially over the left side, we began to play between the lines and scored a great goal. From that moment on, we dictated the game totally.
"The reason we have another clean sheet is that we were good in possession, but also because we defended really well. With Raphael Varane in there as the leader, he puts everyone in the right position, and he fits together really well with Lisandro Martinez. The two full-backs also did their job really well.
"I'm really pleased with Sancho. Another goal, and he scored already many goals in pre-season, now this is his third goal in the season. But also he was involved in Bruno Fernandes' goal at Southampton.
"He's doing well, but I think there is much more room for improvement for him because he has so much skills to bring on the pitch. So when he has more belief I think he can be more productive.
"Ronaldo needed that goal. Many times he came close, but he wanted that so much. We are happy for him and the team wanted to bring him a goal. You know that Cristiano will score a penalty."
What's next for Man Utd?
Manchester United have a two-week break from action now, with their Premier League match against Leeds - planned for Sunday - postponed along with two other top-flight matches next weekend.
Erik ten Hag's side return to action on October 2 when they face neighbours Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, live on Sky Sports with kick-off at 2pm.
United's next Europa League venture comes four days later against Neil Lennon's Omonia from Cyprus.
