Odion Ighalo was an unused substitute as Manchester United opened their 2020-21 UEFA Champions League campaign in Group H with an impressive win over last season’s finalists Paris St-Germain at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.
The victory was a repeat of the result two seasons ago that helped then caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seal the job on permanent basis.
And just as he did on that fateful night, forward Marcus Rashford struck the winner late on once again after an own goal from Anthony Martial helped PSG draw level.
Martial had won a first half penalty that was dispatched by stand-in captain Bruno Fernandes to give United the lead.
Fernandes’ intial effort was saved by Keylor Navas but a retake was ordered after VAR determined the goalie had left his line before the kick was taken.
In Group H’s other game, Angelino scored a first half brace as RB Leipzig beat Istanbul Basaksehir in Germany.
Earlier in Russia, Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Dennis opened his account for the season as his Club Brugge side beat Russian champions Zenith Saint Petersburg in Group F.
The 22-year-old tapped in following a goalmouth scramble after Zenith’s defence failed to clear properly in the box.
A 74th-minute own goal by Ethan Horvath drew the home side level but Charles De Ketelaere scored in added time to ensure the Belgians left Russia with all three points.
In the group’s other game, Lazio secured an easy 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in Italy.
A Ciro Immobile strike and a Marwin Hitz own goal put the home side two goals up at the interval.
Erling Braut Haaland halved the deficit for the visitors in the 71st minute but Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro scored five minutes later to make the result certain for the Italians.
Chelsea and Sevilla settled for a goalless stalemate at Stamford Bridge in Group E while Sehrou Guirassy scored for Rennes and Cristian Ramirez replied for FC Krasnodar as the group’s other fixture also ended in a draw.
In Group E, Alvaro Morata scored a second half brace as Juventus beat Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 in Ukraine while ten-man Barcelona hammered Ferencvaros 5-1 in Spain.
Lionel Messi opened scoring from the spot at the Nou Camp with Ansu Fati doubling Barca’s lead just before half time.
Philippe Coutinho made it three in the 52nd minute before the home side were then reduced to ten men after defender Gerard Pique received his marching orders in the 68th minute.
Igor Kharatin pulled one back for the visitors from the spot in the 70th minute but it was little less than a consolatory effort as further goals from Pedri and Ousmanne Dembele completed the rout for Barcelona.
