Odion Ighalo voted Man of the Match after Man United 5-0 LASK…….It was a memorable, but strange, evening with the game played behind closed doors due to coronavirus. The Reds began the game brightly and, after going close on a handful of occasions, the deadlock was broken by a sublime Odion Ighalo finish just before the half-hour mark. James added an excellent second after the break before Juan Mata and substitutes Mason Greenwood and Andreas Pereira struck further to surely all but clinch victory in the tie.
Solskjaer made five changes to the side that brilliantly overcame Manchester City in the derby last Sunday, with Sergio Romero, Eric Bailly, Scott McTominay, Mata and Ighalo all recalled to the starting line-up.
It was an eerie atmosphere during the opening quarter of the match and United were in control from the off. LASK stood firm initially but they were relieved to see Mata miscue a good chance when the ball dropped to him in the box on 18 minutes. Play continued with a lovely cross back into the area from Luke Shaw which Alexander Schlager punched clear but only into Mata’s path, however his shot was deflected just wide.
Odion Ighalo voted Man of the Match after Man United 5-0 LASK
Schlager was called into action again two minutes later when Ighalo turned well on the edge of the box, but his low drive was gathered by the LASK keeper.
James was next to go close after being found well by Mata, as a brilliant first touch gave him the opening to curl a lovely effort towards goal, but Schlager made an excellent stop. From the resulting corner, Bailly headed just wide as United continued to pile on the pressure.
That pressure told on 28 minutes and how. A lovely run forward from the impressive Bruno Fernandes led to him finding Ighalo on the edge of the area and, after three brilliant touches with both feet to control the ball and make space, the Nigerian fired a superb half-volley goalwards which smashed in off the crossbar. The Nigerian Star performance has earned him praises from the fans.
