MAN UNITED 4, AZ ALKMAAR 0
Manchester United scored four goals in a devastating nine-minute second-half spell to defeat Dutch club AZ Alkmaar and top their Europa League group.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer turned to youth with qualification already secured and they provided further evidence of exciting times ahead.
Teenager Mason Greenwood scored twice and produced another eye-catching display which was lauded by Solskjaer who, himself, was a top striker.
Embed from Getty ImagesSolskjaer said: “The closer he gets to goal the more dangerous he becomes. He is a natural finisher, one of the best I have seen and we knew we had a top talent.
“He is good with his right foot and left foot and just needs to develop his heading to become a complete player.”
Solskjaer added there is no better place for youngsters.
He explained: “This club is the best for recognising and developing talent – there is no better place to play.
“The kids have had some great experiences (this season) and even from the first to second half today.
“In the first half it was not our identity. They need games against men and professional players as the U23 league only takes you so far.
“These players have taken massive steps.”
It was all change for the two already qualified teams, though United needed to avoid defeat to top group L.
Harry Maguire and Anthony Martial were the only two survivors from the side that started Saturday’s derby.
It provided Solskjaer with the chance to experiment as there were starts for youngsters Brandon Williams, Axel Tuanzebe, James Garner and Greenwood with Ethan Laird and Tahith Chong on the bench.
Greenwood had United’s first chance in the fifth minute, weaving his way in from the left before his shot was turned round the post by goalkeeper Marco Bizot.
United had an anxious moment defensively when Ashley Young got into trouble trying to dribble his way clear in the penalty area but was dispossessed.
It was pretty lacklustre from both teams as United struggled to create chances, though Juan Mata had a goalbound shock blocked and Maguire’s header from a corner was easily saved.
Alkmaar were lively in their approach play but had no end product, though Oussama Idrissi’s low cross almost crept in with keeper Sergio Romero beaten and Dani de Wit and Calvin Stengs had chances that were off target.
United were almost caught cold at the start of the second half following a break down the left by Owen Wijndal and cross for Stengs who shot straight at Romero from six yards when he looked certain to score.
Greenwood set up Martial who fired over when he ought to have netted a breakthrough goal for the Reds.
It was only a temporary reprieve for Alkmaar as United finally scored in the 53rd minute.
Andreas Pereira started the move with dazzling footwork to break free by the corner flag.
Nemanja Matic threaded a pass to Mata whose ball across the face of goal was finished by Younn from what appeared an impossible angle, a finish of quality that was out of keeping with the game and what had gone before.
It was Young’s first goal in European football since 2012 and the first conceded by Alkmaar in 472 minutes in all competitions.
It was akin for waiting for a bus as two goals came along at once as United quickly made it 2-0.
Garner dispossessed Fredrik Midtsjo – replays suggested it was a foul – as he released Greenwood who found the net with a low shot from 20 yards.
Solskjaer made his first change just short of the hour when Martial made way for Chong.
It was soon 3-0 through Mata’s penalty after Greenwood was fouled by Jordy Clasie as United had stepped up a gear.
And United struck a fourth goal in nine minutes when Greenwood scored his second of the game.
At 18 years and 72 days, Greenwood became the youngest United player to score a brace in European football, beating Marcus Rashford’s record and before that Wayne Rooney, George Best and Ryan Giggs, esteemed company.
Matic and Mata set up Greenwood who cut in from the right and beat Bizot at his near post.
The goal was followed by a double change by Solskaer as Maguire and Young made way for Phil Jones and Laird.
Alkmaar were denied a consolation goal 11 minutes from time when Romero pulled off a fingertip save to turn over a drive from Stengs.