Europa League: Omonia FC VS Manchester United: Red Devils save themselves from embarrassment with a last-minute win
Omonia arrived in Manchester having lost five of their previous seven matches, including a 3-2 loss to United on Thursday but produced a defiant, heroic stand, exemplified by brilliant goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, as Neil Lennon's team came within seconds of departing Old Trafford with an unlikely point
Omonia reserve keeper Uzoho steals the showScott McTominay's late winner saved Manchester United from disgrace in Thursday's 1-0 Europa League triumph over Omonia Nicosia at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils required a second-half rally to defeat the Cypriot First Division club on Thursday, but despite controlling possession and chances, they were left disappointed throughout the game.
United attempted to kill any chance Omonia had of becoming the first Cypriot team to win in England on the road in Europe but were left with a familiar sense of frustration after a failed first-half assault.
Marcus Rashford was United's brightest attacking spark, but Uzoho prevented him from breaking the stalemate just two minutes and repeated the feat midway through the first half by deflecting the forward's low attempt around the post.
United continued to struggle in the second half as boos rained down from the Old Trafford fans until McTominay rescued his team in stoppage time with a goal from the centre of the penalty area when the ball dropped kindly to his feet.
McTominay, who entered the game with less than 10 minutes remaining, scored the game-winning goal after fellow substitute Jadon Sancho set him up inside the penalty area.
Erik Ten Hag praised Manchester United's win
"In every game except against Brentford we score. In this team there's a lot of creativity and scoring capabilities. Sometimes you have a night you will not succeed and some players today was the night but what the good thing is the team keep going, they don't give up, keep believing [they will] score and in the end they get rewarded. That's the way you have to do it." Ten Hag on his team's performance after the match.
"I am really happy," Ten Hag continued. "It is about the spirit in the team and the squad. It is not just about the 11 players. Sometimes it works like that. Substitutes can have an impact when they have the right attitude and the right focus."
United remains in second place in Europa League Group E, three points behind leaders Real Sociedad. However, if they win their last two matches, they would go to the round of 16 as group champions without facing a team relegated from the Champions League.