Manchester United got their Europa League campaign back on track after defeating Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk 1-0 at Old Trafford.
The home side, trying to make amends after their unexpected defeat to Feyenoord in their last European encounter, took the lead after Zlatan Ibrahimovic headed in Wayne Rooney's miscued shot.
The captain was again the centre of discussion, starting from the bench after he suffered a minor back injury in training during the week. Upon entering the fray in the 67th minute, he was immediately involved, his volley ending up as the perfect assist for Ibrahimovic to break the deadlock.
United dominated the game, although they struggled to force the Zorya goalkeeper to make a meaningful save. The Red Devils went closest in the first half when Marcus Rashford crashed a thunderous strike against the underside of the crossbar after 20 minutes. The hosts had other opportunities too, with Jesse Lingard's header from a Marcos Rojo cross being cleared off the line and Marouane Fellaini narrowly heading over the subsequent corner.
Zorya Luhansk, though solid and extremely disciplined defensively, barely had an opportunity after the early minutes when Zeljko Ljubenovic fired over the impressive Ivan Petriak's cutback. Petriak, the talented blonde winger, was Zorya's biggest threat with his dribbling and work rate.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah, enjoying a rare start at right back, was a key player for United, his driving runs sparking danger in the Zorya defence. It was from one of these runs that United's goal eventually came, perhaps cementing the youngster ahead of Matteo Darmian in the United ranks.
FT: United 1 Zorya 0.
Zlatan's second-half header settles the game and hands #MUFC three points. #UEL pic.twitter.com/tIJpwNI9OH
After another unconvincing performance, United fans will be glad just to get on the board in Europe. They'll be looking for their team to make it three wins in a row when the Red Devils host Stoke at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Manchester United Lineup: Romero, Fosu-Mensah (Martial), Smalling, Bailly, Rojo, Fellaini, Pogba, Mata, Lingard (Roooney), Rashford, Ibrahimovic
Zorya Luhansk Lineup: Shevchenko, Kamenyuka, Sivakov, Forster, Sobol, Karavayev,
Grechyshkin, Chaykovsky (Gordienko), Petryak, Ljubenovic (Lipartia), Kulach ( de Menezes Melo)