Manchester United climbed off the bottom of their Europa League group with an uninspiring win over Ukrainian minnows Zorya Luhansk.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the second-half winner with his first goal in five matches, nodding in substitute Wayne Rooney’s mis-hit shot at the far post.
It was United’s first effort on target, despite dominating at Old Trafford.
Zorya offered little threat, although Sergio Romero had to be alert to save Paulinho’s shot just before the winner.
The Red Devils are among the favourites to win Europe’s secondary club competition, but started the evening at the bottom of Group A following a 1-0 defeat at Dutch side Feyenoord in their opening match.
And for more than an hour it looked as though Jose Mourinho’s men would stay there.
Despite hogging over 70% of possession, United were slow and ponderous in the final third as Zorya’s well-drilled defence held firm.
But Zorya, making their debut in the Europa League group stage, were undone inside two minutes of Rooney’s introduction.
United move up to third, level on three points with Feyenoord and one adrift of Turkish leaders Fenerbahce, who travel to Old Trafford on 20 October in the next round of games.
Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said in a post match reaction:
“It was not an easy game. We played well, created chances, but this is a typical game. When you don’t score in the beginning, the spaces get smaller and smaller. After the goal, we had more space but it was a decent game. We won and that is what counts after losing against Feyenoord.
“We could have done much more though, and I expect much more from the team. We did not score as we did against Leicester but it is good for confidence. If we continue this and step it up, we will do good.”
