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Uefa Europa League
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Europa League round-up: Henrikh Mkhitaryan sparkles as Manchester United reach last 32, Southampton out after draw with Hapoel Beer Sheva

Red Devils warm to the task in the Europa League as they book a spot in the last 32 with a 2-0 win over Zorya Luhansk on a freezing night in Ukraine

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Manchester United’s Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan grabbed his first goal for the club in the 2-0 win over FC Zorya Luhansk. Photo: AFP
Reuters

Manchester United are warming to the task in the Europa League as they booked a spot in the last 32 with a 2-0 win over Zorya Luhansk on a freezing night in Ukraine on Thursday.

Goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who made a mockery of his two-month exile from the starting lineup with a superb individual effort, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic secured an easy win that banished memories of their earlier group stage struggles.

The victory confirmed United in second place in group A behind Turkish side Fenerbahce who ended Feyenoord’s qualification hopes with a 1-0 away win over the Dutch side.

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Premier League Southampton, however, were dumped out after a 1-1 draw at home to Hapoel Beer Sheva that was enough to send the Israeli side into the next round as group K runners-up.

United, who could now view the competition as their best route into the Champions League with their Premier League form continuing to disappoint, needed only a draw to progress but never looked in danger of suffering an upset.
FC Zorya Luhansk’s Zeljko Ljubenovic aims a header at goal. Photo: Reuters
FC Zorya Luhansk’s Zeljko Ljubenovic aims a header at goal. Photo: Reuters
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Mkhitaryan, who joined United for £25 million pounds (HK$244 million) from Borussia Dortmund in the close season, may finally have won over manager Jose Mourinho after he danced through the heart of the defence to slot home his first goal for the club early in the second half.

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