Manchester United vs St Etienne - as it happened: Zlatan Ibrahimovic hat-trick clinches victory for the home side
Re-live all the action from United's first-leg last-32 Europa League tie
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It’s a big game for…
Marcus Rashford. The Manchester United youngster has dropped off the scene in recent months, with manager Jose Mourinho placing his faith in the side’s older, more experienced forwards. Numerous reports suggest the player has grown unhappy at the club and is now considering a move away from Old Trafford. In light of such speculation, Rashford would benefit immensely from a confidence-boosting performance on Thursday night. Should he feature, it’s his chance to prove a point.
Remember when…
United hosted Saint-Etienne in Plymouth? The year was 1977 and the Manchester club had been forced to find a neutral venue for their European Cup-Winners’ Cup tie with the French side. United were not allowed to play the second leg within 300km of Manchester after crowd disturbances marred the first leg in France. Officials eventually settled on Home Park, Plymouth - 281 miles from Old Trafford - for the October 1977 clash that former full-back Arthur Albiston recalled as being a "little strange".
Player to watch…
Florentin Pogba. The Saint-Etienne defender meets his brother Paul in a professional capacity for the first time in their careers - so expect fireworks. While Paul has risen to prominence as the most expensive player in the history of the game, joining Manchester United for a record-breaking £85m last summer, Florentin has settled for a life outside of the limelight, plying his trade with French sides Sedan and Saint-Etienne. Having said he won’t hold back on Thursday night, Florentin will be looking to put his younger brother in his place.
Follow the live action below...
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Form guide…
Manchester United: WWDWL
Saint-Etienne: WLWLW
Key information…
Kick-off: Thursday 16 February, 8.05pm, Old Trafford.
TV: BT Sport 2 (UK only), Fox Sports 1, ESPN3 (US only).
Odds…
Manchester United to win: 31/100
Saint-Etienne to win: 10/1
Draw: 4/1
2 minutes: shaky start for United!
St Etienne have the first attack after a botched clearance from Eric Bailly, his second in two minutes.
Thankfully his blushes are saved by goalkeeper Romero who smothers the attack.
4 minutes: first attack for United
Pogba advances down the left, cuts back onto his right and lofts one to the back post. It sails out for a goal kick.
8 minutes: goal disallowed!
United have one ruled out as Mata is four yards offside. He ran into the box and cut one back for Fellaini who finished neatly from 12 yards out.
10 minutes: save!
Martial has a pop from the left and draws a decent save from Ruffier. United looking better now after a shaky start.
14 minutes: free-kick United
Ibrahimovic steps up after winning a free-kick on the edge of the area...
GOAL! Man Utd 1 St Etienne (Ibrahimovic)
The Swedish forward fires it under the wall and it looks like it deflects off Pajot and possibly Martial before trickling into the net.
17 minutes
Robbie Savage is giving poor Vincent Pajot a hard time for his role in the goal. "What is he doing?" the Welshman implores as he watches a replay of the disintegrating St Etienne wall on BT Sport commentary.
20 minutes: penalty shout against United!
Blind looked like he might have taken out Jorginho there but the ref waves play on
24 minutes: big chance!
Pogba threads a delightful pass through for Mata whose volley is well saved by Ruffier, and the keeper does well to put Mata off on the rebound.
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