Gunners romp, Red Devils save blushes
Paris, Sept. 20: Last season’s runners-up Arsenal romped to an impressive 3-0 victory at Eintracht Frankfurt in their Europa League opener on Thursday as Mason Greenwood spared Manchester United’s blushes and Rangers got the better of Feyenoord.
On a night which featured five British clubs in action, Unai Emery’s much-changed side enjoyed the best result of all with youngsters Joe Willock and Bukayo Saka scoring in Germany.
In between, Dominik Kohr was sent off for last season’s beaten semifinalists Frankfurt, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made sure of the win for Arsenal in the Group F clash.
“Everybody can be happy and continuing in this competition is important, so it was good to get a good win, especially away from home,” said Emery.
Their next game will be at home to Standard Liege, who beat Vitoria Guimaraes 2-0 on Thursday.
At Old Trafford, United
had teenager Greenwood to thank as the 17-yearold’s goal gave them a 1-0 win over Astana of Kazakhstan in Group L.
Greenwood became the youngest goalscorer for United in European competition with a composed finish 17 minutes from
time.
Victory justified Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to make nine changes from Saturday’s Premier League win over Leicester City with a host of youngsters given their chance to impress.
“You could see some of our lads needed games but it’s pleasing we got the three points,” Solskjaer said.
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard’s Rangers started in fine fashion as they edged out Feyenoord 1-0 at Ibrox in Group G.