Omonia Nicosia 2-3 Man Utd: Rashford and Martial score to save Red Devils from embarrassing loss
Second-half goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial saved Man Utd from an embarrassing loss to Omonia Nicosia.
Erik ten Hag's side came into this game reeling from their shocking 6-3 loss to Man City in the Manchester derby.
Omonia Nicosia threatened an even bigger clash on Thursday night as Karim Ansarifard powered them through at half-time.
But former Celtic boss Lennon couldn't celebrate a famous win as Rashford's brace and a strike from Martial set up a comeback win that ended 3-2 thanks to the late goal by Nikolas Panayiotou.
The victory in Nicosia kept United's elimination ambitions on track and was a result few saw past given that Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro entered a surprisingly strong line-up.
>It seemed to be a matter of timing rather than whether the visitors would score in a one-sided opening period, only for Tyrell Malacia to be stripped and Bruno to lead a break that ended in the shot of Ansarifard at home.
Ten Hag made changes in an effort to turn things around at GSP Stadium and they worked brilliantly.
Half-time introduction Rashford produced an excellent finish to equalize and Martial then scored two minutes after replacing Bruno Fernandes with his own strike.
Ronaldo hit a post as he sought his 700th goal but his cross shot was quickly returned by Rashford, Panayiotou fending off one as United held on for victory on a surprisingly difficult night.
United are now turning their attention to the Championship trip to Everton before welcoming Omonia next Thursday, which included Wales international Adam Matthews and former City prospect Brandon Barker in their starting lineup.
Lennon's hosts were on their backs from the start, with goalkeeper Fabiano denying a shot from Ronaldo.
Antony should have rounded the Omonia keeper or produced a better pass for Fernandes as United continued their ascent, the latter seeing an effort curl off the crossbar soon after.
Fabiano made an exceptional one-handed save to stop Antony heading home superbly as Omonia struggled, only to capitalize on a lax defense and deliver a stunning blow in the 34th minute.
With players ready to attack a free-kick from Christian Eriksen, Jadon Sancho played against Malacia when the initial cross was cleared and the left-back was too easily dispossessed by Bruno.
The Brazilian led a fast against Omonia and coolly played Ansarifard to superbly beat David De Gea.
It was a brilliant break that left United rocking for the rest of the first half.
Luke Shaw replaced Malacia at the break and Sancho was replaced by Rashford, who scored within eight minutes of his introduction.
Fernandes sent a long ball forward to Rashford, who recovered from a bad first touch to move into the space freed up by a clever run from Ronaldo and hit a low, curled shot from the edge of the surface.
Eriksen, Antony and Ronaldo pushed hard as United pushed for the lead, with Martial replacing Fernandes - another change that paid immediate rewards.
Two minutes into his 61st-minute introduction, the France international picked up a nice flick from Rashford and continued to strike low past Fabiano.
There was a scare when Bruno got through, but the Omonia player just failed to make a clean connection with the ball trying to lift De Gea.
Ronaldo squandered a glorious chance to put the game to bed when Diogo Dalot kept his cool under pressure from Fabiano to square for his compatriot, who somehow hit the near post with the goal at his mercy.
The 37-year-old's frustration at not scoring was clear, as was his joy when Rashford returned his cross shot to the far post in the 84th minute.
But Omonia ensured it would be a frantic end a minute later as Victor Lindelof was stunned and Panayiotou fired fellow substitute Andronikos Kakoullis' cross.
Fred forced Fabiano into action from range and Ronaldo scored wide in stoppage time as time ticked away.
READ MORE: Ronaldo frustrated in hunt for 700, while Casemiro struggles to leave Ten Hag with big decision
Second-half goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial saved Man Utd from an embarrassing loss to Omonia Nicosia.
Erik ten Hag's side came into this game reeling from their shocking 6-3 loss to Man City in the Manchester derby.
Omonia Nicosia threatened an even bigger clash on Thursday night as Karim Ansarifard powered them through at half-time.
But former Celtic boss Lennon couldn't celebrate a famous win as Rashford's brace and a strike from Martial set up a comeback win that ended 3-2 thanks to the late goal by Nikolas Panayiotou.
The victory in Nicosia kept United's elimination ambitions on track and was a result few saw past given that Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro entered a surprisingly strong line-up.
>It seemed to be a matter of timing rather than whether the visitors would score in a one-sided opening period, only for Tyrell Malacia to be stripped and Bruno to lead a break that ended in the shot of Ansarifard at home.
Ten Hag made changes in an effort to turn things around at GSP Stadium and they worked brilliantly.
Half-time introduction Rashford produced an excellent finish to equalize and Martial then scored two minutes after replacing Bruno Fernandes with his own strike.
Ronaldo hit a post as he sought his 700th goal but his cross shot was quickly returned by Rashford, Panayiotou fending off one as United held on for victory on a surprisingly difficult night.
United are now turning their attention to the Championship trip to Everton before welcoming Omonia next Thursday, which included Wales international Adam Matthews and former City prospect Brandon Barker in their starting lineup.
Lennon's hosts were on their backs from the start, with goalkeeper Fabiano denying a shot from Ronaldo.
Antony should have rounded the Omonia keeper or produced a better pass for Fernandes as United continued their ascent, the latter seeing an effort curl off the crossbar soon after.
Fabiano made an exceptional one-handed save to stop Antony heading home superbly as Omonia struggled, only to capitalize on a lax defense and deliver a stunning blow in the 34th minute.
With players ready to attack a free-kick from Christian Eriksen, Jadon Sancho played against Malacia when the initial cross was cleared and the left-back was too easily dispossessed by Bruno.
The Brazilian led a fast against Omonia and coolly played Ansarifard to superbly beat David De Gea.
It was a brilliant break that left United rocking for the rest of the first half.
Luke Shaw replaced Malacia at the break and Sancho was replaced by Rashford, who scored within eight minutes of his introduction.
Fernandes sent a long ball forward to Rashford, who recovered from a bad first touch to move into the space freed up by a clever run from Ronaldo and hit a low, curled shot from the edge of the surface.
Eriksen, Antony and Ronaldo pushed hard as United pushed for the lead, with Martial replacing Fernandes - another change that paid immediate rewards.
Two minutes into his 61st-minute introduction, the France international picked up a nice flick from Rashford and continued to strike low past Fabiano.
There was a scare when Bruno got through, but the Omonia player just failed to make a clean connection with the ball trying to lift De Gea.
Ronaldo squandered a glorious chance to put the game to bed when Diogo Dalot kept his cool under pressure from Fabiano to square for his compatriot, who somehow hit the near post with the goal at his mercy.
The 37-year-old's frustration at not scoring was clear, as was his joy when Rashford returned his cross shot to the far post in the 84th minute.
But Omonia ensured it would be a frantic end a minute later as Victor Lindelof was stunned and Panayiotou fired fellow substitute Andronikos Kakoullis' cross.
Fred forced Fabiano into action from range and Ronaldo scored wide in stoppage time as time ticked away.
READ MORE: Ronaldo frustrated in hunt for 700, while Casemiro struggles to leave Ten Hag with big decision
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