Ibrahimovic grabs vital win for United
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC was a happy man after his goal earned Manchester United a 1-0 Europa League win over Zorya Luhansk.
After losing to Feyenoord in their first Group A clash, United recovered after eventually grinding down their unheralded opponents.
“It was not an easy game, we played well, created chances,” said the Swede.
“If you don’t score in the beginning then the spaces get smaller. After the goal there was more space. It was a decent game and we won. It was good to take the three points.
“If you want to go through you need to win the game. We won but we could do much more. We are working hard. Against Leicester we did a good game, today we did a good game and it is good for confidence.”
Two weeks on from opening their maiden group stage campaign in the competition with defeat in Holland, Jose Mourinho conceded his side could ill afford to falter against last night’s relatively unknown Ukrainian opponents.
Zorya certainly played their part at Old Trafford and frustrated the hosts for large parts, but Ibrahimovic’s close-range header would eventually secure a 1-0 win that may not have enthralled but kickstarts United’s Group A campaign.
Mourinho’s side dominated possession from the outset but struggled to translate that control into goals, unlike Saturday’s shellacking of reigning Premier League champions Leicester.
United scored three goals from corners that day and their best first-half chance came via the same route, with Marcus Rashford’s thumping effort hitting the underside of the crossbar.
Zorya were proving a nuisance on the break but struggling to threaten Sergio Romero’s goal, with United snatching a winner two minutes after Wayne Rooney came off the bench.
The England captain’s mishit effort was headed home by Ibrahimovic, securing an important three points from an uninspiring match.
The big talk pre-match was captain Rooney’s place among the substitutes for a second successive match, watching from the dugout as his team-mates struggled for consistency in a tame opening.
Zorya boasted nowhere near the same talent but did not appear overawed by the stage, looking particularly threatening on the counter-attack.
MIt was difficult, we had chances in the first half but we didn’t take them and they were organised with people behind the ball.,” said Mourinho
“(In) one week (we had) three defeats, one week (we have) three victories. I was not depressed with the defeats or on the moon with the victories. The game on Sunday is now the most important.”
Southampton earned a valuable point with a goalless draw away to Hapoel Beer Sheva, who continued their remarkable unbeaten run at the Turner Stadium. The Israeli hosts are yet to lose there in the 23 competitive fixtures they have played there since the stadium opened in September 2015.