Twitter explodes as Manchester United secure 3-2 comeback win despite Cristiano Ronaldo struggling to impress
Manchester United secured a nervy 3-2 comeback win over Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on October 6, despite Cristiano Ronaldo's continuing troubles.
United initially tried to be too intricate, with Antony, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Bruno Fernandes having chances they couldn't convert.
Omonia weathered the early pressure and took a shock lead in the 34th minute. The Cypriot minnows broke on the counter and carved through United.
The impressive Bruno raced forward and found Karim Ansarifard. The Iranian made no mistake, firing past David de Gea.
United came back out in the second half, and bombarded Omonia goalkeeper Fabiano Freitas' goal.
They found a vital equalizer in the 53rd minute through a beautiful Marcus Rashford strike who came on at half time for the ineffective Jadon Sancho.
The English forward took a heavy touch from Fernandes' ball looped over the top but then cut inside before curling past Fabiano.
The Red Devils' dominance continued and it was the substitute Anthony Martial who got United's second.
An astute flick from Rashford fell to the French striker who drove a stunning strike home to give Manchester United a 2-1 lead.
Rashford and Martial changed the game for United, who showed more intent going forward following their introductions to the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo then missed a golden opportunity to grab his 700th club-career goal when he could only hit the post with the goal gaping in the 77th minute.
The Portuguese did manage a goal contribution in the 84th minute, playing in Rashford with a clever drilled pass and the English forward slotted home from close range.
Omonia weren't going to go down quietly as they gave United a nervy end to proceedings in the 85th minute.
Substitute Nikolas Panayiotou notched his first ever European goal against the run of play.
The Cypriot side had a 12th man in their passionate supporters at the GSP Stadium throughout but Manchester United proved too strong on the night.
Here are some reactions from an enthralling 3-2 victory for the Red Devils:
Job done in Nicosia! โ
#MUFC || #UEL
Marcus Rashford has scored his 97th goal for Manchester United. Cristiano Ronaldo (143) is the only active player with more.
Having a great start to the season. ๐ https://t.co/Bq7TCu2V3Z
Ronaldoโs actually been quite sharp. Even his linkup has been good
Ronaldo asking Sancho to take a man on https://t.co/k2Sl83FdMe
Yeah put Sancho on the bench for a few games and run Rashford, Martial and Antony
Martial and Rashford combining! Amazing!
Rashford x Martial the dream team! What a goal!
Rashford and Martial synergy back https://t.co/8JIpStLHkS
@TheFergusonWay Martial is 100% our best player at the moment, pretty sad to think about considering heโs played about 2 minutes
Pumped by City and we revert back to previous habits. The mental fragility in this squad is actually incredible.
@ManUtd crying how r u losing to the periodic table
1-0 Omonia Nicosia.
THEY TAKE THE LEAD VS MANCHESTER UNITED!!! https://t.co/iP0hsJbSz2
United losing to an infection una
That goal is 1000000000% on Sancho
No way United are losing to a team called Ammonia, they're taking the piss ๐น๐น๐น
Instant impact from @AnthonyMartial! ๐
#MUFC || #UEL https://t.co/PjX45q03gp
[69'] - Ronaldo fires a shot well wide.
1-2 #mufc
I love Cristiano Ronaldo but his fanboys make me laugh if you canโt accept the fact that heโs 37 years old and nowhere near the player he was a couple years ago then youโre living in denial.
Ronaldo looking at Martial https://t.co/tzlv3kns8i
Ronaldo looking every bit of 53 years old
Rashford has been good since he came on at half time. Good decision making and ocourse the attacking output.
He's a left winger.
#MUFC
@utdreport Must be one of the worst strikers in Europe currently
๐๏ธ| Erik Ten Hag on Ommonia having their own Bruno: โNow we have two Brunos playing against usโ๐จ๐๏ธ| Erik Ten Hag on Ommonia having their own Bruno: โNow we have two Brunos playing against usโ
Life without Varane ๐ข
Dalot trying to get Ronaldo to score like... https://t.co/UM9WaJUhUk
Rashford 2 goals and 1 assist today, our boy fully changed this game
@ESPNFC If Ronaldo had retired back in 2018 after winning his 5th UCL, he would have a greater legacy than what he has today....
Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo escape a calamity in Nicosia
Omonia were admirable in their efforts against one of the Europa League's biggest sides but in the end Manchester United grabbed a vital win.
The Red Devils needed to bounce back from their 6-3 defeat to Manchester City last weekend and will be glad to have got back to winning ways.
However, United boss Erik ten Hag will be worried about his defense, who made life easy for Omonia in the two goals the Cypriot minnows scored.
Next up for Ten Hag's men is a trip to Goodison Park to take on Everton in the Premier League on October 9.