Manchester United rounded off their Europa League group-stage with a 4-0 win over AZ Alkmaar tonight to finish top of Group L.
The Europa League has offered Ole Gunnar Solskjaer respite in what was a tough start to the season, though United are on the up now after wins against Tottenham and Manchester City last week to revitalise their Premier League top-four hopes.
With qualification for the Europa knockout stages already secured after matchday 4, Solskjaer took a young squad to Astana - and the Red Devils were taught a lesson as they let a lead slip to fall 2-1 in Kazhakstan.
United knew they would finish top of the group as long as they avoided defeat to Alkmaar at Old Trafford, and a brilliant second-half performance decided things.
The first half ended goalless as a much-changed United struggled for inspiration, but the hosts soon raced into a four-goal lead thanks to goals from Mason Greenwood (two), Ashley Young and Juan Mata.
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Man Utd team news and predicted lineup
With qualification already secured, Solskjaer has the luxury of being able to focus on Sunday’s game against Everton.
Nemanja Matic makes a rare start tonight. Axel Tuanzebe is involved, while Mason Greenwood, Brandon Williams and James Garner all start as well.
Man Utd XI: Romero; Young, Tuanzebe, Maguire, Williams; Matic, Garner; Martial, Pereira, Mata; Greenwood.
AZ XI: Bizot; Svensson, Clasie, Wuytens, Wijndal; Midtsjo, Stengs, Koopmeiners; Sugawara, De Wit, Idrissi
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