(Football news) Manchester United kept their hopes of topping their Europa League group alive thanks to an injury time winner by Scott McTominay to seal a 1-0 win over Omonia Nicosia at Old Trafford. The visitors came to England in poor form, having lost five out of their last seven games but produced an inspiring performance and were largely in the game due to their goalkeeper Francis Uzoho. Such was the performance that Omonia almost secured a point against Manchester United and can consider themselves unlucky. The result means that Manchester United remain 2nd in their group behind Real Sociedad but will progress into the knockout stage if they win their last two matches and will also be able to avoid any teams dropping from the Champions League.

Despite a barrage of attacks in the first half, Manchester United couldn’t break the deadlock as goalkeeper Uzoho denied Rashford twice, who was the hosts’ brightest attacking threat. Casemiro also had a fantastic opportunity that hit the crossbar after the half-hour mark and Fred failed to find the target with a header from Antony’s cross. In the second half, Uzoho produced an even better performance, denying Manchester United with two double saves from Antony, Rashford, Fred and Ronaldo within two minutes of the restart. Rashford had a total of 10 shots while Bruno Fernandes also squandered a few opportunities as frustration started building up at Old Trafford. However, the hosts finally took the lead in the 93rd minute when McTominay brought the ball under control and fired a low shot past Uzoho, much to the jubilation of the home crowd.

Speaking after the match, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said “[Our] performance until the box was good but the finishing was not that good. Let's hope we saved the goals for the coming week. 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 were 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. I'm really happy [a sub has scored for a fourth game in a row]. 

“It tells you something about the spirit in the squad, they understand it's not about 11 players, you have to do it, and sometimes it works like that. When you believe in it, the opponent is getting tired, the subs can have an impact when they have the right attitude, the focus to be direct, are fresh and score. It's not about me. When you bring in McTominay you know he can arrive there but it's not a typical scorer who will score 20 goals. But when you bring Rashford behind and a new combination on the left with Luke Shaw and Jadon Sancho, we create energy, they bring tempo on that wide left area, that's good to see and it can be your sub will score." 

Omonia boss Neil Lennon said “It would have been the greatest result in the club's history. We defended heroically. I was frustrated that we didn't keep the ball in the final third better. There was wave after wave of attack. Players were resilient and strong. My goalkeeper was incredible. A few will come out with a lot of glory. I'm really proud. But at this level you need to keep the ball better. He really stood up to the challenge tonight. He's taken his chance brilliantly. That performance was the best of his career. He may never do better." 

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