Mata's goal seals United's last eight spot
Manchester United progressed to the last eight of the UEFA Europa League after Juan Mata's goal secured a 1-0 win over Rostov at Old Trafford.
An eye-catching Juan Mata goal secured Manchester United an underwhelming 1-0 win over Rostov to book its passage to the last eight of the UEFA Europa League.
Jose Mourinho's side, held 1-1 in Russia, was wasteful in front of goal for much of the match at Old Trafford and looked to be heading for a goalless stalemate before Mata prodded home 20 minutes from time at the end of a well-worked move from the hosts.
United was dominant throughout, with Rostov offering little attacking threat and generally relying on defensive stubbornness and good fortune, the post coming to its rescue twice in the first half to keep Zlatan Ibrahimovic at bay.
The home side suffered the blow of losing Paul Pogba, who enjoyed a strong first half, to a suspected hamstring injury just after the break and its hold on the midfield suffered slightly as a result.
But Mata finished off a fine United move, assisted by an Ibrahimovic back-heel, to punish a Rostov error and that goal proved to be enough, although Sergio Romero was forced into a superb late stop to prevent the match going into extra-time.
