Manchester United vs Partizan LIVE: Score, goals and latest updates from the Europa League
Manchester United beat Partizan at Old Trafford as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side sealed qualification for the knockout stages
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Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford netted fine goals as Manchester United beat Partizan Belgrade to seal their place in the Europa League knockout phase with two games to spare.
Having seen a three-match winning run come to a disappointing halt at Bournemouth at the weekend, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side rallied and secured a comprehensive Group L victory under the lights at Old Trafford.
Classy goals by Greenwood, Martial and Rashford gave free-flowing United a deserved 3-0 victory on Thursday night, ensuring progress to the Europa League round of 32 with games against Astana and AZ Alkmaar still to play.
Solskjaer can now experiment and rest key players in those fixtures - a boost with the energy-sapping 6,000-mile return trip to freezing Kazakhstan looming large later this month.
The United boss named a strong team in a bid to get qualification wrapped up early and teenager Greenwood, one of four changes from the Cherries loss, showed excellent composure to make space and send Partizan's goalkeeper the wrong way to open the scoring after 22 minutes.
The 18-year-old's pressure led to the home side's second of the evening, although Martial deserves all the credit for the way he turned superbly, evaded three challenges and slotted home a magical goal.
A thumping strike by Rashford early in the second half wrapped up victory against Savo Milosevic's side, with the only negative for United being the sight of Scott McTominay limping off.
Thursday's match provided entertainment too often lacking at Old Trafford this season, with both sides seeing goals ruled out for offside during the opening four minutes.
That deflected effort off Umar Sadiq was as close as Partizan would get, with Rashford fizzing wide, forcing Vladimir Stojkovic into a close-range stop and volleying over inside the opening 15 minutes.
Murmurs of frustration followed the latter opportunity, but Rashford's directness soon helped unlock the Partizan defence.
The 22-year-old's pass found Greenwood in the box, with the teenager making space to hit a left-footed strike that bamboozled Stojkovic.
It was a lovely finish and United stepped up a gear after Seydouba Soumah, impressive in the return fixture, curled wide.
Greenwood's pressure led to a clearance ricocheting off him into the path of Martial, who showed exceptional skill to collect the ball and turn Strahinja Pavlovic in the same motion. The Frenchman did not stop there, with his fine footwork and calmness seeing him avoid three challenges and beat the goalkeeper.
Martial tried to add to that before half-time, as did Rashford and Ashley Young.
United were in control and the second period was just four minutes old when Young laid a pass into the path of Rashford to leather into the top left-hand corner in front of the Stretford End to make it 2-0.
Young and Fred went close with free-kicks as Solskjaer's Reds looked to press home their advantage, but the game was over and they eventually dropped their intensity a gear or two.
James Garner, who started in Belgrade, came on for his first senior appearance at Old Trafford, before McTominay went off with what appeared to be a foot issue.
PA
Prediction
Manchester United suffered a set back at the weekend and only just edged past the Serbians last time out in this competition, but should have enough quality to beat them at home, even with a changed side.
2-1 to Manchester United is our prediction.
Odds
Manchester United 2/5
Draw 16/5
Partizan 10/1
When is it?
The match kicks off at 8pm GMT on November 6.
How can I watch it?
The match will be aired live on BT Sport 2, with coverage beginning at 7.30pm.
Subscribers can also watch the game via the BT Sport app, or online via the BT Sport player.
Team news
Paul Pogba is expected to be out until December, while Luke Shaw, Nemanja Matic and Axel Tuanzebe are likely to return after the international break. Diogo Dalot is also expected to miss the game, along with longer-term absentees Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given chances to a number of younger players in this competition, so there could be further opportunities for James Garner, Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams.
Predicted line-up
Manchester United: Sergio Romero; Phil Jones, Harry Maguire, Marcos Rojo; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Fred, James Garner, Brandon Williams; Jessse Lingard, Juan Mata, Mason Greenwood.
Man Utd 3 - 0 Partizan
75 mins: McTominay is down now and is being seen to by the physios. He eventually limps off and is replaced by Jesse Lingard for United's final change.
Man Utd 3 - 0 Partizan
78 mins: Juan Mata is brought down by Ostojic and Man Utd play the free kick short. It's worked out to Greenwood before he is forced to send the ball back to the defence.
Man Utd 3 - 0 Partizan
81 mins: As has happened for much of the match Partizan are unable to break down Man Utd's defence when they have the ball.
For the last 10-15 minutes the game has been played in midfield with neither side showing much intensity.
Man Utd 3 - 0 Partizan
84 mins: Man Utd win a corner and Pereira plays it back to Ashley Young who puts it in the box. The ball comes straight to the goalkeeper and the attack ends before it really begins.
Man Utd 3 - 0 Partizan
87 mins: Man Utd are running down the clock. They knew that the game is theirs and they are just trying to get to the end in one piece.
Partizan are no real threat now, they can't get the ball.
Man Utd 3 - 0 Partizan
90 mins: There's going to be another three minutes to play as well. Man Utd are going to win the game, they'll advance to the knockout stages.
They've shown some attacking flair and a clean sheet would top a perfect night for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Man Utd 3 - 0 Partizan
90+3 mins: Goals from Greenwood, Martial and Rashford put United in a most commanding position and they never looked like they would concede tonight.
They move back to the top of Group L, having qualified for the knockout stages, and an upcoming match against AZ Alkmaar should determine who tops the group.
A convincing victory saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side cruise into the knockout rounds, here's how they all rated:
Anthony Martial and Juan Mata ran the show for United as they booked their place in the round of 32 with their biggest home win since August:
United deserve praise and plaudits for their most dominant Old Trafford display since beating Chelsea 4-0 in August:
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