Disciplined Man United sail into Europa last 16
PARIS: Criticised by manager Jose Mourinho for being over-confident in the first leg at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s players put on a fine display of focus and discipline on Wednesday to beat Saint-Etienne 1-0 and reach the last 16 of the Europa League with a 4-0 aggregate win.
The Red Devils travelled to France for the last-32 return leg witha3-0advantageandputthe game to bed with an early goal from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who scored the winner in the 17th minute from Juan Mata’s assist as United prevailed at Geoffroy Guichard stadium.
United tightened their grip on the match with a strong defensive performance after moving ahead, despite playing with 10 men in the final half-hour after Eric Bailly was shown a second yellow card.
Needing at least three goals to keep their hopes alive, Saint-Etienne got off to a strong start and created their first chance within the first minute when Henri Saivet tested ’keeper Sergio Romero with a low shot from the right. Well organised in midfield, United easily slowed down the pace and prevented the hosts from hitting their stride. The Red Devils then converted their first chance to kill any sense of suspense
when Mkhitaryan connected with a cross from Mata to put United ahead with a flick past Stephane Ruffier.
Mata came close to doubling the lead six minutes later but Ruffier made a nice reflex save to parry away his cross after the ball was twice deflected by Saint-Etienne players.
Mkhitaryan was forced to leave the pitch soon after with an apparent hamstring injury that could rule him out of Sunday’s
League Cup final at Wembley against Southampton.
Saint-Etienne enjoyed a good spell near the half-hour but the hosts’ possession did not translate into clear-cut opportunities.
Saint-Etienne dominated early in the second half but could not find an edge as Saivet saw his shot blocked and Kevin MonnetPaquet missed the target.
In another games, Schalke beat PAOK drew 1-1 but Schalke won on aggregate. DUBAI: Angelique Kerber dominated Monica Puig 6-2, 6-3 in barely an hour at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Wednesday to move a step closer to returning to the No 1 ranking.
The top-seeded German who held the top WTA spot in 2016 before Serena Williams took it back in September, could regain the number one ranking were she to win the Gulf event on Saturday.
Kerber’s victory also provided revenge against Puerto Rican Puig, who beat the 29-yearold for the Rio Olympic gold medal in August.
Kerber improved to 3-1 in the series with her comfortable win overtheNo42seedattheAviation club.
“I was trying to play my game. I’m really happy about how I played today,” Kerber said.
American Catherine Bellis sprang a shock on 2012 champion Agnieszka Radwanska upsetting the Polish fourth seed 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 with the 17-year-old earning her first win over a top 10 player.