Manchester United produced a ruthless display to thrash Club Brugge and keep their hopes of European silverware alive with a resounding 5-0 victory at Old Trafford to move on to the Europa League round of 16.
The hosts started brightly and took a 27th-minute lead when Daniel James' shot was blocked by the arm of Simon Deli, who saw red for his intervention, and Bruno Fernandes coolly converted the resulting penalty. Odion Ighalo then delighted the home fans as he struck his first United goal for 2-0, before Scott McTominay capped a fine display with a superb goal on his return, and Fred struck twice late on to seal an emphatic win.
Positives
A mightily impressive first-half display saw United lead 3-0 at the interval -- the club's biggest half-time lead under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer -- and it could have been more. The unrelenting hosts pressed superbly to pin their opponents deep in their own territory, and they produced some excellent finishing in front of goal to humble the 10-man visitors.
Negatives
The Red Devils could have fallen behind in the first half had Mats Rits shown more composure, but Solskjaer's biggest concern will likely be the fitness of in-form striker Anthony Martial, who had earlier limped out of training.
Manager rating out of 10
7 -- Clearly mindful of the tough March schedule that lies ahead, Solskjaer made five changes to the side that thrashed Watford, but the result was much the same as his side produced a brilliant display to progress with ease.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Sergio Romero, 6 -- Relieved to see Rits place his effort over the bar with the Argentine stranded in no-man's land after his punched clearance dropped kindly for the Brugge man, but he was otherwise unscathed as United asked all the questions.
DF Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 7 -- The athletic full-back showed his attacking quality and thrived alongside Fernandes. The duo combined for a neat one-two exchange that allowed Wan-Bissaka the chance to cross, before the defender picked out his teammate with a clever chip into the box.
DF Eric Bailly, 6 -- Made a vital intervention to hack the ball to safety after some unconvincing defensive play from Harry Maguire and Romero, but that was about as busy as things got for the centre-back.
DF Harry Maguire, 6 -- Saw a rare shot blocked inside the opposing box before losing his bearings at the other end in a breathless few moments as both sides looked to land punches in the opening minutes. A surging 35-yard run moments later saw the skipper glide past two challenges before he was dispossessed on the edge of the box.
DF Luke Shaw, 7 -- Tested the nerves of ex-Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet with a whipped cross that had the goalkeeper flapping and saw his low drive impressively blocked by the keeper in the 69th minute.
MF Fred, 8 -- The midfielder has surely enjoyed his best spell in a United shirt this season, and he added to his attacking returns for the campaign, teeing up McTominay's delightful strike before tapping in United's fourth and curling home a delicious second to make it 5-0.
MF Scott McTominay, 8 -- The Scot looked nothing like a man who hasn't started for two months. He threaded a sensational low pass into the feet of James -- who should have done better -- and put the game beyond doubt with a wonderful, curling finish to make it 3-0.
MF Juan Mata, 8 -- It took the experienced midfielder just 15 seconds to craft a half-chance for Ighalo, and the Spaniard forced a good save from Mignolet moments later, before assisting his side's second with a smart cutback at the far post.
MF Bruno Fernandes, 9 -- Ran the show again. The Portugal international put his side ahead with an ice-cool hop, skip and a goal from the spot, having earlier rattled the post via Mignolet's fingertips, while his involvement in the build-up to United's second was simply dazzling.
MF Daniel James, 6 -- The young Welshman was far from glamorous, but he swung the game in his side's favour with a thunderous strike that saw Deli dismissed for a blatant handball and allowed Fernandes to open the scoring from the spot.
FW Odion Ighalo, 7 -- Opened his Manchester United account with a tap-in from Mata's well-placed cutback after more ridiculous play from Fernandes, and he almost added another with an effort on the turn that had Mignolet at full stretch. A wonderful night for him.
Substitutes
MF Tahith Chong, 6 -- Replaced James at the interval and was dealt a sore one when he was clattered head-on by the onrushing Mignolet. Came within inches of his first goal for the club with a low strike that flashed past the far post.
MF Jesse Lingard, 7 -- Clearly desperate to impress, the midfielder battled hard and did superbly to steal back possession when required. He admittedly blazed an ambitious effort horribly wide seconds later, but must be praised for unselfishly squaring for Fred to tap in the fourth.
FW Mason Greenwood, N/R -- Replaced McTominay in the 72nd minute and came close to grabbing a goal, but his best effort went just wide of the post.