It had been a long wait for the Red Devils but Manchester United midfielder Anthony Martial’s spot-kick handed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer an away win after the dramatic night in Paris Saint Germain during last season’s Champions League in March.
The victory ensured that United moved top of their Europa League group and will qualify for the knockout stages if they beat Partizan in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford on 7th November.
Young French forward Anthony Martial returned to the starting lineup for the first time since August and sent Partizan keeper Vladimir Stojkovic the wrong way from 12 yards after United’s 19-year-old left-back Brandon Williams won the spot-kick.
Williams’ burst forward drew a foul from Nemanja Miletic and the teenager was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise similar uninspiring display from the English side.
Williams and 18-year-old midfielder James Garner were among seven changes made by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from the side that started against Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
Although United managed to control possession for most parts of the game, they were ineffective with the ball and the only chances in the first half came through Scott McTominay wastefully heading Juan Mata’s free-kick wide and Jesse Lingard’s curling effort striking the right-hand post.
But despite a sloppy performance from the hosts, they carved out chances of their own with on-loan Roma forward Umar Sadiq bending a 20-yard strike against the post.
United shot-stopper Sergio Romero superbly preserved the visitors’ lead by parrying Seydouba Soumah’s powerful drive after the midfielder cut past England defender Harry Maguire, the English side hung onto three points.
