Manchester United manager Erik ten Hague praised his team’s spirit and belief as Scott McTominay scored a stoppage-time winner against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League to keep alive their hopes of qualifying as group winners. could
McTominay, introduced with less than 10 minutes remaining, headed home the winner when fellow substitute Jadon Sancho pulled him down in the box.
The result means United are three points behind Group E leaders Real Sociedad, who beat Sheriff Teraspol 3-0 for their fourth win in as many matches in the competition.
United dominated and had several great chances to score but were frustrated until McTominay’s winner.
“There’s a lot of creativity and goal-scoring ability in this team. Sometimes you have a night where you don’t succeed. Today was that night,” said ten Hague.
“But the good thing was that the team kept going and they didn’t give up. They believed and eventually we got the reward. That’s what we have to do.
“I’m really happy with it. It’s about the spirit of the team and the squad. It’s not just about the 11 players.
“Sometimes it works that way. Alternatives can have an impact if they have the right attitude and the right focus.”
Omonia goalkeeper Francis Uzuho was undoubtedly the visitors’ best performer as he saved 11 of United’s 12 shots on target.
But he could do nothing to stop McTominay’s strike in the 93rd minute, saving three big chances for Marcus Rashford in the first half.
Casemiro, who started alongside Fred in midfield, also hit the crossbar in the first half, before Fred headed over the bar from an unmarked position in the box.
Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t take his chances either and McTominay fired a wild shot into the stands before finding the courage to score the winner in front of an enthusiastic Old Trafford crowd.
Victory means United’s hopes of topping the group are well within their grasp. In their next match on October 27, they face Sheriff Traspol at home.
Omonia, who had few chances at the other end, could have scored themselves on the stroke of half-time but Bruno Felipe did not square for team-mate Andronikos Kakoulis who was free in the middle.
Neil Lennon’s side, who went 1-0 up in the reverse fixture last week before Rashford’s double helped United win 3-2, were cheered on by the 4,500 in attendance. went
“I’m very proud of the team. We were minutes away from one of the biggest results in the history of this club,” Lennon said.
“We’ve made a lot of progress in a short space of time. We came close to a draw against Sociedad and obviously tonight and last week. The players have been fantastic since I arrived in March.
“The fans were incredible. They looked like they enjoyed the whole experience. They showed how proud they are of the club. To bring 4,000 people from Cyprus is incredible.
“I think this trip has put Omonia on the map of Europe a little bit. We need to work on that.”
