Saint-Etienne’s European dreams were left in tatters as they were embarrassed 3-0 by Manchester United in the first leg of their round-of-32 showdown on Thursday. Les Verts were brushed aside by a United side that has now scored 15 goals in the Europa League this season. They simply had no answer for Zlatan Ibrahimovic who has scored 17 goals against Saint-Etienne in 14 matches.
Head coach Christophe Galtier can take comfort in the fact, however, that his side gave United fits in the first half of that contest. Saint-Etienne caused the Red Devils problems on the break in the opening 45 minutes, peppering United with 11 shots. That’s the most by an opponent at Old Trafford in the first half of a match since Athletic Bilbao recorded 13 shots in March 2013.
With his team trailing by three goals, however, Galtier will need to change Saint-Etienne’s tactics and go on the attack right from the get-go. That will be easier said than done, though, with United possessing one of the league’s best defenses this season. They have surrendered just four goals in this season’s Europa League, second-fewest in the competition. United have won three consecutive European games without conceding a goal for the first time since November 2010 under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Zlatan Ibrahamovic and Manchester United are surely turning out to be a match made in heaven.
The Red Devils’ prized recruit once again delivered on the big stage, scoring a hat-trick in United’s 3-0 demolition of Saint-Etienne in their first leg encounter on Thursday. It was a spectacular performance from the Swede who now has scored 24 goals in all competitions for the Premier League powerhouse.
Ibrahimovic’s hat-trick against Saint-Etienne was the 17th of his career. It was Zlatan’s first treble since joining United, his second in European competition and his third against Saint-Etienne. He loves playing against the French outfit, scoring 17 goals against them during his career. That’s his highest haul against any team.
For all the attacking talents that United have at their disposal, the one player that they have been missing all this time was a striker that was a classic no. 9. Zlatan provides another outlet for Man U in the sense that he goes into the channel, tries to beat the offside trap and has the option of holding the ball at times for the Red Devils’ offense to set up. World-record signing Paul Pogba surely has taken notice, with all five of his assists going to Ibrahimovic this season.
Their burgeoning partnership will be vital for United in the second leg especially now that Wayne Rooney has been ruled out with a minor leg injury. Joining Rooney on the sidelines for this crucial clash are full backs Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian (didn’t join the trip), midfielder Ander Herrera (suspended) and defender Phil Jones (hamstring).
Writer’s Prediction
Manchester United (+109) ease past Saint-Etienne, 3-1.
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