Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard were all on the scoresheet as an impressive Manchester United recorded a 4-0 win over Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The victory has moved the Red Devils into second position in Group A and left them only needing one point from their final group match against Zorya Luhansk early next month to qualify for the last-16 stage.
Jose Mourinho made six changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Arsenal at the weekend and the big news was the inclusion of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who was named in the starting XI for just the second time this season.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Rooney were also included, while Luke Shaw, Daley Blind and Sergio Romero came into the side as Mourinho shuffled his pack, leaving the likes of Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera on the bench.
As for Feyenoord, former Liverpool duo Dirk Kuyt and Brad Jones were both included, while Tonny Vilhena - who scored in the reverse match in Holland earlier this season - started in an attacking midfield role once again.
A bright start from Man United saw the home side create a clear opening inside two minutes, but Paul Pogba could only head an Antonio Valencia cross over the crossbar, before the French midfielder missed the target with a curling effort two minutes later as Feyenoord dropped into a defensive shape.
The visitors managed to settle following a difficult start, but Man United continued to play the better football as Mkhitaryan combined with Pogba and Rooney impressively during some sharp work in the final third of the field.
Mourinho's side had three clear chances in quick succession either side of the 18-minute mark, but Feyenoord stopper Jones made two smart saves to keep out strikes from Pogba and Michael Carrick, before the heavily-involved Mkhitaryan just failed to meet a cross from Ibrahimovic.
Feyenoord, who grew into events, had two opportunities of their own in the 26th minute after Eljero Elia's dangerous run created shooting chances for both Nicolai Jorgensen and Kuyt, but Man United's second-choice goalkeeper Romero made two excellent saves in quick succession.
Man United's next chance arrived in the 33rd minute when Rooney delivered a cross onto the head of Pogba, but Jones challenged the France international and just about did enough to ensure that the score remained goalless.
The home side did make the breakthrough in the 35th minute, however, as Ibrahimovic carried the ball to the edge of the Feyenoord box before slipping a super ball in to Rooney, who expertly chipped Jones to make it 39 European goals for the Red Devils, passing former teammate Ruud van Nistelrooy in the process.
Ibrahimovic and Mkhitaryan both had chances during what was a strong start to the second period from the home side, but strong defending from Feyenoord prevented Jones from being called into action once again.
Sensational work from Mkhitaryan then saw the Armenian break through on the Feyenoord goal, only to be brought to the ground by Rick Karsdorp, but the referee was not interested despite contact being made on the midfielder. Moments later, Man United had another opportunity as Mata brought a smart stop from Jones.
Feyenoord had a half-chance of their own in the 55th minute when Vilhena found space inside the Man United box, but the Dutchman's effort was wide of the post, before Mkhitaryan smashed into the side-netting on the hour mark.
Pogba was next to come close for Man United after finding a yard of space outside the Feyenoord box, but Jones again shuffled across to make a smart save as it remained 1-0 approaching the final 20 minutes of action at Old Trafford.
Mourinho's side finally had their second in the 69th minute when Ibrahimovic fed a smart pass in to Rooney, who reversed the ball in to Mata and the Spaniard simply could not miss from close range.
Two then became three in the 75th minute when Ibrahimovic's low cross was turned into the Feyenoord net by Jones as the visitors fell apart during a period of domination from a Man United side that were full of ideas on the night.
Lingard and Memphis Depay were both introduced for the home side late on as Mkhitaryan and Rooney were replaced and Lingard brought a smart save from Jones five minutes from time, but the England international did find a route past Jones in stoppage time as the home side made it four on the night.
Man United, who are back in Premier League action against West Ham United on Sunday, need just a point away to Zorya next time out to book their spot in the last-16 stage of the competition. Meanwhile, Feyenoord will have to beat current Group A leaders Fenerbahce in Rotterdam to make it through to the next round.
Matt Law
