FC Sheriff 0-2 Manchester United LIVE! Europa League result, match stream and latest updates today
FC Sheriff vs Manchester United - LIVE!
Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo both made points as Manchester United eased to a 2-0 victory over Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League.
Sancho was on target hours after being left out of the England squad and Ronaldo scored his first of the season as United brushed off the Moldovans in Chisinau to register their first points of the group stage. Both goals came in the first half with Ronaldo's, a penalty in the 39th minute, being the 699th of his glittering club career.
After a summer of speculation over his future, it underlined a strong performance from the Portuguese on just his third start under Erik Ten Hag. The result ensured United's campaign was up and running after defeat in their Group E opener against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford last week.
FC Sheriff vs Man United highlights
GOAL! Sancho rolls in opener
GOAL! Ronaldo from the spot
FT! Man United claim the points
FK Sheriff Tiraspol 0 - 2 Manchester United FC
Thanks for joining us!
19:55 , Marc Mayo
Manchester United claim the win in Moldova to get off the mark in Group E.
If you fancy some more live European action, hop over to our blog of Silkeborg vs West Ham...
Or, recap the Red Devils action with our match report!
Around the grounds
19:47 , Marc Mayo
Big wins for Midtjylland and Feyenoord while Real Sociedad leave it late to beat Omonia in Group E.
⏰ RESULTS ⏰
27 goals across 8 games 😍 #UEL— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) September 15, 2022
Sancho with a timely reminder of his talents tonight
19:41 , Marc Mayo
The winger missed out on an England recall earlier today. There is still time to make the World Cup, of course...
Jadon Sancho celebrated his goal by holding up a pair of personalised shin pads gifted to him by a young fan 👏#UEL pic.twitter.com/e7Oi4TAkdR
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 15, 2022
Full time!
19:34 , Marc Mayo
It’s all over in Moldova!
Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo strike in the first half to register Manchester United’s first points in Group E.
19:32 , Marc Mayo
90 mins: Maguire and Garnacho on for Martinez and Antony to see out the final few moments.
Two minutes added on.
19:31 , Marc Mayo
88 mins: Casemiro concedes a foul right on the 18-yard line which the substitute Pernambuco rifles in low and straight at De Gea.
The restart doesn’t see the ball go very far before comng right back at United, Kpozo the latest to take a potshot that flies over.
19:27 , Marc Mayo
85 mins: Elanga breaks in behind and rolls in a nice low cross through the six-yard box. The defender’s clearance is inadvertently gathered by the winger and a foul for handball is the result.
19:25 , Marc Mayo
83 mins: Even the stadium announcer’s confirmation of Ronaldo’s substitution gets a cheer from around the ground, clearly there are some chuffed Moldovans who have watched the superstar tonight (and who could blame them).
19:23 , Marc Mayo
81 mins: Signs of life from Sheriff as Vizeu just fails to reach a high cross from the left.
Ten Hag turns to his bench and brings Elanga on for Ronaldo. Mudasiru is on by Sheriff.
19:21 , Marc Mayo
79 mins: A first moment in attack for Shaw, appearing down the left to cross but a defensive header is first to it.
19:17 , Marc Mayo
74 mins: A chance for Antony to get on the end of a Ronaldo lay-off in the six-yard box but the pass is a little off-target and the defending is good to snuff out the opening.
Down the other end, De Gea produces his first save with an easy high grab of Badolo’s whack from range.
19:15 , Marc Mayo
71 mins: Kiki delivers a stout header to clear Antony’s cross from the right.
The Brazilian has shown flashes of action tonight but he’s hardly grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, part of a feeling that United’s players are keeping themselves in second gear tonight with bigger battles ahead.
Changes with Vizeu on for Sheriff and Shaw replacing Dalot for United.
Pushing for more 👊#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/oFA0Wrnwuo
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 15, 2022
19:11 , Marc Mayo
68 mins: Just a drop-off in tempo from United in the past few minutes, it will be interesting to see if Ten Hag calls upon some youngsters late on.
A long passing move down the left ends with Ronaldo placing a shot off-target from the 18-yard line.
19:05 , Marc Mayo
62 mins: A booking for Atiemwen for pulling back Malacia inside his own half, a touch harsh but another sign that Sheriff are increasingly out on their feet here.
19:02 , Marc Mayo
59 mins: A brief venture forward from the hosts is bulldozed by Casemiro and Martinez, a ball-winning combination United fans will hope to come and love over the coming months and years.
Rasheed latches onto a long ball upfield shortly afterwards and picks out a lob that drifts wide of De Gea’s goal, the keeper more or less having it covered.
18:58 , Marc Mayo
56 mins: One can’t help but think whether this is the sort of game United could do with banging in a few more goals.
A nice, confidence-boosting rout may well be what a team with ambitions of winning this tournament would now go and do...
18:55 , Marc Mayo
53 mins: Sheriff’s earlier spark may just have been beaten out of them, aided by what is likely a lack of fitness in comparison to their opponents.
All very comfortable for United right now.
18:50 , Marc Mayo
47 mins: Save!
Dalot picks out Fernandes with a fine cross from the corner flag and the midfielder places a shot low and hard, which Koval is equal to thanks to a smart stop with his feet.
Kick-off!
18:47 , Marc Mayo
The second half begins in Moldova.
Casemiro replaces McTominay for the visitors.
18:46 , Marc Mayo
We could get yet another Ronaldo milestone in the second half, after a couple already tonight.
His first goal of the season and first in the Europa League have now been registered, another would make it 700 in his club career.
And the teams are coming back out for the second half...
Around the grounds
18:40 , Marc Mayo
Real Sociedad lead Omonia in the other Group E game, Ander Guevara with the only goal.
⏸️ HALF-TIME ⏸️
Most impressive performance so far?#UEL— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) September 15, 2022
Watch Ronaldo make it 2-0
18:35 , Marc Mayo
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 699 career goals at club level ⚽️
He now has his first in Europa League competition...#UEL pic.twitter.com/sQ2oLp88EA— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 15, 2022
Half-time!
18:31 , Marc Mayo
45 mins: A late corner for Sheriff is repelled as the half-time whistle is blown!
18:28 , Marc Mayo
42 mins: It was hard to argue with the penalty, Dalot getting tripped from behind just as the cross passed him.
No problems for Ronaldo from the spot with Koval diving to his right and the ball calmly fired dead-centre.
GOAL! FC Sheriff 0-2 Man United | Ronaldo
18:24 , Marc Mayo
38 mins: It’ll be Ronaldo...
Phones are out filming this moment by almost every fan behind the goal - and they see him bury it down the middle!
Penalty!
18:23 , Marc Mayo
37 mins: Dalot goes down under Kpozo and the referee points to the spot!
18:23 , Marc Mayo
36 mins: Off the line!
The Sheriff goalkeeper criminally gives the ball away and Antony works a chance wide to Sancho on the left, he hits a shot low and Radeljic is there to clear his goalbound effort!
So, so close to 2-0. And it would have been a gift.
18:18 , Marc Mayo
33 mins: Chance!
Antony, who we haven’t seen much of today, chips a nice ball into Ronaldo and he attempts to dig out a shot towards the near post, which flies high over the bar.
18:17 , Marc Mayo
31 mins: Here come Sheriff again with Diop’s cross rejected by Martinez.
A second before the break could prove essential for United although De Gea is yet to be tested by an effort on target.
18:13 , Marc Mayo
27 mins: Martinez is caught out going through the back of Outtara and Sheriff have a free-kick in a good position, 25 yards out and to the left of goal.
Atiemwen floats a curled effort wide and a fair bit high.
18:10 , Marc Mayo
24 mins: United have kicked up a gear with a fine cross from the right nicked off Ronaldo’s head in the box. That leap had 2-0 written all over it.
18:08 , Marc Mayo
21 mins: Close!
It will be interesting to see how Sheriff respond with United now noticeably perkier on and off the ball.
Rasheed goes for a run down the left before Atiemwen lines up a shot from 20 yards, and it’s only just wide of the near post...
GOAL! FC Sheriff 1-0 Man United | Sancho
18:02 , Marc Mayo
18 mins: That’s more like it!
Eriksen feeds Sancho in the box who spins his man and rolls in a calm finish off the post.
Just as I tweet that United were struggling. Sorry Sheriff, I’ve commentator-cursed you.
18:01 , Marc Mayo
15 mins: Penalty appeal!
That was pretty hopeful... A lob into the box sees Ronaldo run at the near-post and he tumbles under pressure from Kiki.
It’s waved away by the referee and Sheriff are none too pleased with those claims after the stop, drop and roll from the United veteran.
17:57 , Marc Mayo
12 mins: Poor from Dalot to give the ball away in his own half with an aimless pass.
Diop picks it up and you can’t really blame him for having a shot from range, although it flies off target.
17:56 , Marc Mayo
10 mins: Some more settled possession for the visitors until a flick around the corner from Ronaldo goes astray and Malacia concedes a foul.
17:53 , Marc Mayo
7 mins: At what point do early tremours become something more significant?
It’s still the hosts making the more advanced movements on the opening goal and a decent bit of play down the right allows Diop to whip a ball in, which Varane is there to head away.
17:50 , Marc Mayo
4 mins: A sense of rust about United as De Gea chases a loose touch in his own box and rolls a pass out of play.
Sheriff are moving the ball with real intent, a no-fuss no-muss approach making them look rather decent so far.
17:48 , Marc Mayo
2 mins: Sheriff showing some early comfort in possession before Varane deals with a long ball forward, with Martinez’s hoofed reply also snuffed out simply.
Kick-off!
17:46 , Marc Mayo
Pawel Raczkowski’s whistle gets us underway in Chisinau.
Here come the players!
17:42 , Marc Mayo
A packed house in Chisinau greets the two sets of players.
Erik ten Hag explains his strong team selection
17:38 , Marc Mayo
“It’s about every game picking the best team, what’s available, and also looking at the programme. We have a good squad so everyone can play.”
Ten minutes until kick-off!
17:34 , Marc Mayo
Manchester United don their white away kits for tonight’s game.
🔴 Who'll be Manchester United's main man against Sheriff?#UEL pic.twitter.com/z6LjWw1kB5
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) September 15, 2022
United duo in England squad
17:28 , Marc Mayo
Earlier today, Gareth Southgate named his latst England squad for Nations League games against Italy and Germany.
Harry Maguire is again involved from Manchester United alongside the returning Luke Shaw, on the bench tonight, plus Nottingham Forest loanee Dean Henderson.
But, there are no places for Jadon Sancho or the injured Marcus Rashford.
Pitch not a worry for De Gea
17:22 , Marc Mayo
David De Gea has dismissed any fears of the Zimbru Stadium pitch hampering Man United tonight.
“It's my first time in Moldova so it's going to be a tough game for us,” he said.
“They play at home and are a very direct team, a very physically strong team, so it's going to be 100 per cent a difficult game. If we play our game, if we play good and play in our way, then we will have a big chance to win the game, for sure.
“To be honest, we saw some videos and I was thinking maybe the pitch was going to be really bad but I've been there and I think it's a great pitch.
“It's perfect to play on and a nice stadium, perfect to play in. As I said before, I cannot wait to play here.”
Match odds
17:15 , Marc Mayo
Sheriff Tiraspol to win 9/1
The draw 11/2
Man United to win 2/9
Odds provided by Betfair
The dressing room is set
17:10 , Marc Mayo
Warm-ups are getting underway in Chisinau with kick-off about 35 minutes away.
🔎 Inside the United dressing room.#MUFC || #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 15, 2022
Youth options on the bench
17:03 , Marc Mayo
Erik ten Hag has brought a handful of kids to Moldova with there likely to be a chance to give them a runout later on.
Zidane Iqbal, Charlie McNeill, Radek Vitek and Alejandro Garnacho are on the bench, Garnacho and McNeill having featured against Real Sociedad last week.
Midfielder Iqbal made his first-team debut just under a year ago while Vitek, an 18-year-old Czech goalkeeper, has not made a senior appearance as of yet.
Man United get acquainted with Zimbru Stadium
16:54 , Marc Mayo
Erik ten Hag looking rather smart as per usual tonight with Steve McLaren in the classic backroom-staff-trackies-and-boots aesthetic.
🇲🇩 United are in the house.#MUFC || #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 15, 2022
Which Sheriff players will I know?
16:49 , Marc Mayo
Unless you’re a big keeno on the Moldovan league, not many (probably none).
Goalkeeper Maksym Koval is a twice-capped Ukraine international who previously enjoyed a brief loan spell at Deportivo La Coruna.
Much of the squad is made up of African and Eastern European players with a handful of Brazilians thrown in for good measure.
How the hosts line up today
16:42 , Marc Mayo
FC Sheriff XI: Koval, Zohouri, Gabi, Radeljic, Kpozo, Badolo, Kyabou, Diop, Rasheed, Atiemwen, Ouattara.
Subs: Celeadnic, Heron, Felipe Vizeu, Darankoum, Salifu, Pernambuco, Pascenco, Guedes.
16:39 , Marc Mayo
Five changes for Manchester United as Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Casemiro, Fred and Anthony Elanga drop out.
In come Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho after the defeat to Real Sociedad.
A far stronger line-up than Erik ten Hag would have typically picked for this game, no doubt, and one that really has to dispose of Sheriff with ease.
Tonight’s Man United line-up
16:32 , Marc Mayo
Manchester United XI: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Eriksen, McTominay; Antony, Fernandes, Sancho; Ronaldo.
Subs: Heaton, Vitek, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro, Fred, Iqbal, Elanga, Garnacho, McNeill.
Tonight’s venue
16:25 , Marc Mayo
Team news coming up soon!
📍 Zimbru Stadium.
Where in the world are you following tonight's match from? 🌍👇#MUFC || #UEL— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 15, 2022
Ten Hag praises away fans
16:17 , Marc Mayo
A hardy group of 600 Manchester United fans are making the trip to Moldova tonight and Erik ten Hag lauded their attitude to supporting the team.
He said: “From what I experience, in Bangkok, Melbourne, Perth... They go everywhere!
“They go also to Moldova and it's great to get that support. Of course, last week we had a defeat so we need a reaction from the team.”
A busy day of action in the Europa League
16:11 , Marc Mayo
Real Sociedad host Omonia in the other Group E game, with Rennes versus Fenerbahce a pretty tasty tie.
👊 Matchday 2 is here!
Who are you backing to win? 🤔#UEL— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) September 15, 2022
A message from Marcus Rashford
16:05 , Marc Mayo
Marcus Rashford has updated fans on his fitness having missed out on an England call-up, while wishing good luck to his club teammates tonight.
Good luck to the boys later today @ManUtd ⚽️💪🏾
In regards to @England every player wants to represent there country and I’m no different! Unfortunately I’m not ready yet as I’ve picked up an untimely injury. 🏴— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) September 15, 2022
Head-to-head results
15:57 , Marc Mayo
Surprise, surprise... but this will be the first match between the two sides.
Evening Standard score prediction
15:52 , Marc Mayo
Man United need a response to that opening defeat though, as Real Madrid found out last season when losing at the Bernabeu, Sheriff are no easy touch.
A strong side can be expected from United as they look to go into the international break on a high, and they should have the quality to get their European campaign back on track.
Man United to win, 3-1.
15:46 , Marc Mayo
Predicted Man United XI: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, McTominay; Antony, Fernandes, Sancho; Ronaldo.
Early team news
15:40 , Marc Mayo
With no fixture this weekend, Ten Hag does not have to worry about resting or rotating his squad for the trip to face Sheriff.
Casemiro, Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire all started against Real Sociedad and are likely to do so again, while the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho could come in to what should be an incredibly strong side.
Marcus Rashford sat out training on Wednesday morning and was not called up to the travelling squad, alongside Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek.
The England striker, however, is not thought to be likely to miss much action long-term.
“It’s not really bad and we expect him back quite soon in the team,” said ten Hag on Wednesday.
Anthony Martial, Donny van de Beek and Facundo Pellistri remain out with injury, though Luke Shaw is back.
How to watch
15:34 , Marc Mayo
TV channel: The match will be televised on BT Sport 2, with coverage starting at 5.15pm.
Live stream: BT Sport subscribers will be able to watch the match online via the BT Sport website or app.
Live blog: You can follow all the action right here via Standard Sport’s live blog!
Hello!
13:30 , Marc Mayo
Good afternoon and welcome to the Evening Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Europa League clash between FC Sheriff and Manchester United.