Man United thrash Feyenoord; Dundalk go down to AZ

Manchester United require a point in their final group game to reach the last 32 of the Europa League following their 4-0 thrashing of Feyenoord at Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney answered his recent critics after he opened the scoring with a delicate chip over Brad Jones, to become Manchester United’s all-time leading European goal-scorer; just one goal off Bobby Charlton’s all-time record.

The former Everton man turned provider in the 70^th minute when he played in the imposing Juan Mata who clinically converted his close-range effort before being replaced seconds later.

Jones, on his return to England, had to pick the ball out of his net for the third time when Zlatan Ibrahimovic, from an awkward angle, hit a shot which deflected off the goalkeeper before rippling the net.

Substitution Jesse Lingard finished the scoring in the 90^th minute when his curling effort from just outside the area, hit the post before rolling in.

Much has been made of Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s exclusion in recent games for the Red Devils, and the former Borussia Dortmund man gave Jose Mourinho food for thought after a lively start which nearly produced a goal after great link-up play with Rooney.

Michael Carrick is proving pivotal for United this season, and once again staked a claim for a place in the starting eleven with tonight's performance, and the Former England International was unlucky to see his shot was well-saved by goalkeeper Jones before being cleared away by a hesitant Feyenoord backline.

The visitors started to find their feet and displayed lightning pace on the break in the 26^th minute which seen former Liverpool man Dirk Kuyt denied by an unconventional save from Sergio Romero.

Mourinho’s men stepped up gears in the second-half and in-form Mata nearly doubled their lead after he produced sublime chip from outside the area which was met by an equally impressive save from Jones.

Mkhitaryan nearly topped off his fantastic performance on the hour mark after the midfielder smashed his effort narrowly wide following a delicate Ibrahimovic flick. The Swede nearly registered a goal himself moments later after he was played through on goal, only for the former Barca man to see his shot saved by the legs of Jones.

Manchester United now need a point to qualify for the last 32, when they travel to face Zorya on the 8^th.

Dundalk’s Europa League dreams were dashed as Wout Weghorst fired AZ Alkmaar to a 1-0 win in Tallaght.

Weghorst finished from close-range after hesitant defending from Dundalk proved the difference in what was a close tie.

Despite displaying great spirit and heart, the hosts lacked the cutting edge to penetrate the Dutch side’s backline and now drop to third in the group.

The visitors could have added a second in the second half after Weghorst’s shot was well-saved by Gary Rogers in the 66^th minute, followed by a wonderful save in the 74^th minute when he somehow managed to push Mat Seuntjen’s effort onto the crossbar.

Stephen Kenny’s men will need a win when they travel to face Maccabi Tel Aviv on the 8^th of December and will be hoping Zenit St Petersburg can topple now second placed AZ Alkmaar on the same date.

Photo-Gettyimages-Matthew Peters

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