Manchester United 4-1 Fenerbahce: Paul Pogba double inspires United By Jack Wilkinson
Last Updated: 20/10/16 11:06pm
Manchester United produced a vintage European display to move joint-top of Europa League Group A with a scintillating 4-1 victory over Fenerbahce. Paul Pogba's 31st-minute penalty broke the deadlock at Old Trafford before Anthony Martial doubled United's lead from the spot three minutes later. The world's most-expensive player struck a brilliant third on the stroke of half-time before Jesse Lingard's first European goal sealed a comprehensive victory for Jose Mourinho's men. Former Old Trafford favourite Robin van Persie received a standing ovation when found the net on 83 minutes, but it was mere consolation for Fenerbahce as United warmed up for Sunday's trip to Chelsea in style. Wayne Rooney returned to captain United for the first time since September's EFL Cup win at Northampton as Mourinho made seven changes to the side fielded in Monday's goalless draw at Liverpool. There were familiar faces in the Fenerbahce coached by former Sunderland Dick Advocaat. Van Persie returned to Old Trafford 16 months after leaving the club while former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel was handed a start.
After a lethargic opening half-hour, in which Martial should have headed United in front on 25 minutes, the game swung in the hosts' favour with two penalties in quick succession.
The first came after Michael Carrick - starting only his third game of the season - picked out Juan Mata in the opposition area with an inch-perfect pass, and the Spaniard drew a foul from Simon Kjaer.
Surprisingly Rooney, who has just one goal to his name this season, allowed Pogba to take set-piece duties, and the Frenchman clinically converted after a suspect run-up.
After Mata's exquisite pass released Martial through on goal and drew a foul from Sener Ozbayrakli, the Frenchman made it two, finding the same spot as Pogba had low to the 'keeper's right.
Fenerbahce had the chance to reduce the arrears immediately but David de Gea was on hand to thwart Souza's low drive - and two quickly became three as United cut loose with the goal of the game.
Rooney won possession high up field and showed great vision to pick out Lingard in the area, whose first touch to control was sublime.
He then laid the ball into the path of Pogba, who caressed an unstoppable effort into the top right-hand corner in first-half stoppage-time.
United carried on from where they left off after the break as Pogba and Rooney combined to set up Lingard, whose struck low to Volkan Demirel's right for United's fourth.
The introduction of Emmanuel Emenike saw Fenerbahce begin to threaten, and Van Persie's whistling effort on the hour ensured complacency would not set in for the hosts.
Mata should have grabbed a fifth but Demirel was a match his 78th-minute strike, setting the stage for Van Persie to have the final word.
The Dutchman escaped his marker and turned Emenike's cross beyond De Gea seven minutes from time.
All four sides of the ground stood to applaud the former United striker, and he showed his appreciation in return, but the night belonged to the home side.
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