Man United storm to 4-0 Europa League win over AZ Alkmaar
Manchester United have secured their third consecutive win across all competitions after cruising to a 4-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar in their final Europa League group stage match.
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side breeze through to the Round of 32 as they top Group L on 13 points.
The Dutch visitors did well to hold United to a goalless stalemate in the first half, but after the restart the Red Devils were determined to put their mark on the game.
AZ conceded four goals inside the first fifteen minutes of the second half with skipper Ashley Young getting his side off the mark in the 53rd minute.
Five minutes later, youngster Mason Greenwood doubled United’s lead with a stunning 20-yard strike. The 18-year-old found the back of the net for the second time in the 64th minute.
READ MORE: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hands Mourinho his first Tottenham defeat
READ MORE: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he's not "more concerned" following EPL sackings
Sandwiched between Greenwood’s goals was a penalty from Juan Mata after Greenwood was brought down in the box. AZ goalkeeper Marco Bizot went the right way but the Spaniard’s spot-kick sliced into the right-hand corner and put United four ahead.
Greenwood’s double makes him the youngest player in Manchester United history to score a brace in a major European tournament.
“He may not touch the ball a lot outside but he's a killer in the box. He showed that tonight,” Mata told BT Sport at full-time. “He's developing very well and a very nice kid, so happy for him.”
Despite a thrashing at Old Trafford, AZ Alkmaar sneak through into the next round as runners-up with nine points, just one ahead of third place Partizan Belgrade.
Manchester United join fellow English sides Arsenal and Wolves progressing into the next round.
The draw for the Europa League Round of 32 fixtures will take place on Monday at 12pm.
Featured from our writers:
