Man Utd vs Sheriff Europa League result and final score tonight as Cristiano Ronaldo strikes – live

Cristiano Ronaldo is back in the Manchester United side and back in the goals too. And even if the five-time Ballon d’Or winner does not believe the second tier of European football competition is befitting of his genius, it felt a lot better than where he was a week ago. This time, when the final whistle sounded at Old Trafford, he was not washed, changed and already halfway home but with his team-mates, celebrating passage to the knock-out stages of the Europa League.

There is still more than pride for United to play for away to Real Sociedad next week, though. Whoever wins Group E will avoid having to play an eliminated Champions League side in February’s play-off round and instead reach the last 16 automatically. In a packed schedule, Erik ten Hag and his players could do without an extra two-legged tie but only winning by two clear goals in San Sebastian will guarantee that.

That will be a sterner test than the one provided by Sheriff Tiraspol, who bravely held out until their resistance was broken by a Diogo Dalot header on the cusp of half time. Marcus Rashford came off the substitutes’ bench to add a second before Ronaldo doggedly poked home United’s third, turning the smattering of boos that had greeted his name before kick-off into a full, unambiguous rendition of his ‘siu’ catchphrase.

Alejandro Garnacho offered a glimpse of the future at Manchester United as the exciting Argentine prospect displayed flashes of promise in the 3-0 victory over Sheriff.

A rare start for the 18-year-old, Garnacho displayed maturity out on the left wing as Erik ten Hag looked to break down the Moldovan side’s resistance by using the width and moving the ball quickly.

Despite his youth, having arrived from Atletico Madrid in 2020, Garnacho is already compiling invaluable experience. From being tasked with supplying Cristiano Ronaldo tonight to a senior Argentina call-up in March and rubbing shoulders with Lionel Messi.

There is a hint of Pablo Aimar, his assistant coach with the Albiceleste, to Garnacho’s game when the ball arrives at his feet. Light across the turf and naturally drifting inside onto his stronger right foot, he also possesses slick hips to reverse his path towards goal.

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal would need to “reset” after slipping to just a second defeat of the season in losing at PSV Eindhoven.

The Gunners needed just a point to secure top spot in their Europa League group but were beaten 2-0 in the Netherlands as Joey Veerman and Luuk de Jong scored the goals.

The hosts also had three goals disallowed for offside as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men confirmed their own place in the knockout stages.

Arsenal sit top of the Premier League and had won their opening four Group A games in the Europa League, with Van Nistelrooy’s former club Manchester United the only side to beat them so far this season.

Speaking after the defeat, Arteta admitted his side did not reach the standard he demands from his players.

Marcus Rashford also got himself on the scoresheet tonight and is now just one goal away from scoring 100 goals for Manchester United.

Manchester United next travel to Real Sociedad for the final group stage match of the Europa League. They’ll need to win by two goals or more in Spain to overtake Sociedad and finish top of Group E thus avoiding a play-off match.

Erik ten Hag has played fairly strong teams throughout this tournament so expect something similar next time out.

90+3 mins: Job done for Manchester United. Diogo Dalot released all the pressure with his first half header before the introduction of Marcus Rashford secured the points after half time.

Cristiano Ronaldo was keen to score all night but had to wait until the 81st minute to score his first goal at Old Trafford this season.

What it means is that Man Utd make it out of the group with one game to spare.

90 mins: Three minutes of added time to play at Old Trafford. Manchester United know they are now through to the next round of the Europa League.

It remains to be seen whether they will have to partake in a play-off match to reach the last-16. That will be decided in Spain when Erik ten Hag’s men take on Real Sociedad in a top of the group decider next time out in this competition.

87 mins: Club goal number 701 for Cristiano Ronaldo. Is he back in Man Utd’s good books?

84 mins: Slick interplay between Shaw, Van de Beek and Rashford sees Man Utd win a corner with just a few minutes remaining. Can the Red Devils score again before the end of this match?

Eriksen swings in the corner but Sheriff deal with it well.

81 mins: Ronaldo has his goal!

Bruno Fernandes chips a cross into the box from the right side after Ronaldo calls for it. The forward meets it in the air and whips a header at goal but sees the effort stopped by Maxym Koval.

The goalkeeper spills it and Ronaldo is the quickest to react, he gets to the ball and lifts it over the sprawled keeper to notch up his first goal at Old Trafford this year.