Goalscorer Juan Mata celebrates as Manchester United reach the Europa League quarterfinals after beating Rostov 1-0 at Old Trafford to win 2-1 on aggregate.

Mourinho’s men through to last eight after seeing off Russian visitors

Manchester United toiled to victory against Rostov as Jose Mourinho’s men reached the Europa League quarterfinals, with Juan Mata’s moment of class proving the difference on a night devoid of much excitement.

A week that started with an illtempered FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Chelsea – and unnecessarily arduous journey home from London – continued with what was expected to be a straightforward home clash against the unfancied Russians.

Rostov were on the back foot from the outset but were beginning to give United the jitters before Mata ended a move he started, securing a 1-0 second-leg win that saw Mourinho’s men through 2-1 on aggregate.

United will be relieved to be in the quarter-final draw and hoping for good news regarding Paul Pogba and Daley Blind after both limped off in the second half.

Few could have foreseen such a nervy ending given the way Mourinho’s men flew out of the blocks.

Starry-eyed Rostov goalkeeper Nikita Medvedev unconvincingly stopped Marcos Rojo’s early header and then breathed a sigh of relief as Zlatan Ibrahimovic sent the ball against the post. Mata sent Henrikh Mkhitaryan through with a cushioned half volley, but last week’s goalscorer clipped just wide as United pushed for a first-half breakthrough.

Ibrahimovic again came close to adding to his 26-goal haul, cutting in superbly to hit a fierce right-footed strike that rattled the post.

Only a fine Medvedev stop prevented Pogba capping a solid display with a goal in first-half stoppage time – his last contribution of note as he pulled up 45 seconds after the restart.

It was a frustrating start to the second half and nearly worsened.

One-way traffic meant Sergio Romero did not have a shot to face until the 54th minute, when highly-rated Sardar Azmoun wriggled free to get away a fierce effort that required the United goalkeeper’s intervention.

The Argentina international stopped captain Christian Noboa’s drilled strike moments later, giving the 350-odd visiting fans cause for encouragement and United another warning shot.

There was a palpable release of tension in the 70th minute as United broke clinically.

Mata intercepted the ball just inside his own half and made a beeline for the box. Mkhitaryan swung in the cross for Ibrahimovic to flick into the Spaniard’s path and he made no mistake from a matter of yards.

Rostov were not going to kowtow to United, though. Aleksandr Bukharov, one of only three outfield players named on Rostov’s bench, beat Eric Bailly to send a header goalwards, forcing Romero into a fine 79th-minute stop.

And the United keeper again had to be at his best to stop Noboa scoring a stunning late free-kick – the last moment of a night when Mourinho’s men underwhelmed.

Getty.

Picture: PA. Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the thick of the action against Rostov at Old Trafford. United won 1-0 to go through to the quarter-finals.