Europa League: Mourinho blasts ‘rock’ hard Ukraine pitch

Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s fine solo goal helped Manchester United through to the Europa League knock-out stages, opening his account in style as Zorya Luhansk were overcome on a testing night in Ukraine. “I had four unbelievable years playing in Ukraine and I can say in my last game in Odessa was a very good one because I scored my first hat-trick ever for Shakhtar so I can say that I am pleased to be here again”.

“The first goal was magnificent”, the striker said. “He came in speed and had control all the way”. “Henrikh had speed and control all the way, and the timing to put it through the defender’s legs… it was handsome!”

But the game burst into life when Mkhitaryan opened the scoring with a piece of brilliance after 48 minutes.

“The stadium was handsome, the supporters, the Man United fans were good too”.

The European minnows, who are in the Europa League group stage for a third straight campaign but have yet to make it to the round of 32, are impressive at home.

“Sometimes little details make a difference and the goal is a big detail”.

Virgil van Dijk equalised with a deflected shot in stoppage time but they could not get a victor and Hapoel go through instead.

‘We have to get back to work and play the new game on Sunday’.

AZ Alkmaar beat Zenit 3-2 in the Netherlands to end the Russians’ flawless record in the competition and join their opponents in progressing from Group D. Ben Rienstra, Ridgeciano Haps, and Muamer Tankovic scored for the Dutch side.

United had to cope with one major scare when Romero made a reflex save after Mikhail Sivakov headed Dmytro Grechyshkin’s free-kick towards goal. Despite finishing at the bottom of the group the Ukrainians were by no means a guaranteed three points, drawing at home to both Feyenoord and Fenerbahce.

Group C 19.00: Anderlecht vs Saint-Etienne; Mainz vs FK Qabala. They go there in the last minute, goal.

Group J 17.00: PAOK Thessaloniki vs Slovan Liberec; Qarabag vs Fiorentina.

Group H 17.00: Braga vs Shakhtar Donetsk; Konyaspor vs Gent. Captain Taison and defender Serhiy Kryvtsov had two goals each. You don’t need to win 4-0 every week, but that has not happened yet.

Thirteen other clubs made the knockout stage in the previous rounds: Four sides already qualified with two matches to spare, including four-time European Cup victor Ajax, St. Petersburg, Shakhtar Donetsk and Schalke.