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Man Utd avoid shock UEL loss in Nicosia

Manchester United avoided a scare in the UEFA Europa League after defeating Omonia Nicosia 3-2 on Thursday evening.

The Red Devils featured three alterations in Victor Lindelof, Carlos Casemiro and Cristiano Ronaldo from last Sunday's dismal 6-3 defeat to Manchester City in the Manchester derby.

It was a dominant opening for United where a looping attempt from close-range by Bruno Fernandes was cleared onto the top of the woodwork.

Omonia were more decisive though and made their first threat count after Karim Ansarifard combined with a low pass into space late in the first half and fired in the top of the net.

The confidence from the Red Devils remained low as the half drew to a close, though very nearly bagged the equaliser from a ball in-behind by Lisandro Martinez to Ronaldo but the host cleared.

Erik Ten Hag put on a double change at halftime in Marcus Rashford for Jadon Sancho before Tyrell Malacia made way for Luke Shaw.

Rashford made his introduction count five minutes following the break where he sold one challenge from a pass by Fernandes outside the area and curled into the top corner.

With Anthony Martial introduced towards the midway point in the second half, the Frenchman, like Rashford, made his presence felt when he drilled a low ball from close-range into the near corner to put his side ahead for the first time.

In an end-to-end closing quarter, United nearly made it three from a cutback on the left by Diogo Dalot to Ronaldo who hit the post with the goal in plain sight.

The Red Devils finally made it three with six minutes to go when Rashford latched onto a cross-cum shot from Ronaldo and stabbed home from close-range.

Omonia pulled one back within a few seconds after Nikolas Panayiotou made good use of poor possession by Dalot and thumped in from close-range.

Ten Hag's men went in search of a fourth near full-time with Ronaldo curling wide from a tight angle, but 3-2 it finished.

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