— (Reuters) Cristiano Ronaldo scored upon his return to the starting lineup for Manchester United on Thursday as they defeated Sheriff Tiraspol 3-0 at Old Trafford to secure a spot in the Europa League knockout rounds.
Diogo Dalot and Marcus Rashford had already given the home team a comfortable lead when Ronaldo, who had been excluded from the squad for the weekend’s Premier League trip to Chelsea due to disciplinary issues, scored United’s third goal.
United are in second place in Group E with 12 points from five matches ahead of their visit to Real Sociedad in their final pool game next week, where victory could see them top the table and book a place straight into the last 16.
With only Dalot’s header from a Christian Eriksen corner shortly before the interval to show for it, Erik ten Hag’s side may have been out of sight by halftime against Sheriff of Moldova after creating multiple chances.
After missing the previous eight games due to a hamstring injury, defender Harry Maguire entered the game for the second half. In the 65th minute, Rashford headed in a cross from Luke Shaw, doubling United’s advantage. Late in the third, Ronaldo scored a close-range goal.
The group winners go to the round of 16, while the eight runners-up compete in the playoffs in February against the eight teams that finished third in their respective Champions League groups.
Robert Navarro and Brais Mendez scored for Sociedad as they overcame Omonia 2-0, and Tammy Abraham scored for Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma as they upset HJK Helsinki 2-1 to maintain their playoff hopes.
They are in third place with seven points after five games and must defeat Ludogorets at home the following week to stay in the race.
PROGRESS PSV
PSV Eindhoven of the Netherlands had earlier advanced to the last round after defeating Arsenal 2-0 at home on the strength of goals from Joey Veerman and Luuk De Jong.
Despite having already guaranteed a spot in the top two before the loss, the outcome puts an end to Arsenal’s perfect start to Group A.
Ferencvaros are into the last 16 as Group H winners after a 1-1 draw with AS Monaco, who must win their final fixture at home to Red Star Belgrade to make sure of second place.
For the first time since 1974–1975, Ferencvaros has qualified for the post–Christmas rounds of the European competition.
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise of Belgium won Group D with a 2-0 victory in Malmo, while Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin defeated Braga of Portugal 1-0 to move up to second place in the group.
Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Pedro were on target as the Italians came from behind to beat Midtjylland 2-1, and were joined on eight points in Group F by Sturm Graz, who defeated Feyenoord 1-0 with a 93rd minute winner from Otar Kiteishvili.
From that group, any of the four clubs might still move on.
Man Utd secures a spot in the Europa League round of 16 with a goal from Ronaldo.
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