Man Utd player ratings & match photos from Sheriff win as Cristiano Ronaldo nets first of the season

Manchester United won in Moldova on Thursday night thanks to goals from Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Manchester United beat Sheriff Tiraspol 2-0 on Thursday night to get their Europa League campaign up and running.

It was a relatively straightforward game for the Red Devils, who netted twice in the first half via Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo.

It a slow start from the visitors, but Sancho’s goal on 17 minutes breathed new life into the Red Devils and from there they were largely on top.

The winger, who was omitted from the England squad on Thursday afternoon, was fed the ball by Christian Eriksen in the box, before he cut onto his left foot and slotted it into the bottom corner.

Ronaldo shot over not long after from an acute angle, while Stjepan Radeljic’s last-ditch slide tackle prevented Sancho grabbing a second.

Sheriff did create plenty of opportunities in the opening 45 minutes, the best of which came from Iyayi Atiemwen, who fired just wide from outside the area.

But after 39 minutes it was United who grabbed a second as Diogo Dalot was tripped in the box by a mistimed Patrick Kpozo tackle.

Ronaldo picked up the ball, placed it on the spot and confidently fired it into the back of the net, grabbing his first goal of the season in the process.

After the break, Bruno Fernandes saw a shot saved by Maksym Koval and later in the half Ronaldo fired over.

The second period was a bit of a dull affair with United dominating possession but not creating many chances.

It took until the 75th for the hosts to manage a strike on target, and Cedric Badolo’s effort was well held by David de Gea. The goalkeeper also kept out a free-kick in the latter stages.

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It a slow start from the visitors, but Sancho’s goal on 17 minutes breathed new life into the Red Devils and from there they were largely on top.