Ibrahimovic picks up the ball just outside of the Etienne box and is immediately clattered into from behind, resulting in a late free-kick for the osts. Paul Pogba steps up and unleashes a great shot, but it swings just a few inches wide of the post after leaving Ruffier rooted to the spot.
90' +2
Etienne keep trying to push forward as they attempt to find an away goal to take home with them ahead of next week's second leg. They're unable to do so, however, as more good defending from Bailly stops a curling cross from finding a green shirt in front of goal.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be four minutes of added time.
88'
Penalty goal scored by Z. Ibrahimović for Manchester United!
GOAL! Ibrahimovic steps up and easily wraps up his hat-trick as he sends Ruffier the wrong way and fires a lovely low shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
87'
PENALTY! Ibrahimovic, who has been in great form this evening, muscles his way into the Etienne penalty area before being clumsily caught from behind by Theophile-Catherine, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot.
85'
A. Young enters the game and replaces A. Martial.
United have made a late change, with Ashley Young coming on to replace Martial, who receives a rousing round of applause from the home fans as he makes way.
84'
Saivet steps up and unleashes a curling shot from the set-piece, but his shot flies into a flailing arm and results in another free-kick. Once again he decides to shoot, but another poor strike fails to test Romero.
83'
Veretout breaks forward on a rare Etienne attack as the visitors desperately try to get back into the game at this late stage, but he's bundled over by Bailly and wins his side a free-kick in a very dangerous position just outside of the penalty area.
81'
Ball after ball is fired into the Etienne penalty area, but, somehow, the French side are able to hold on. The last of the crosses is arguably the best, as Ibrahimovic fizzed pass across the face of goal narrowly misses two team-mates before being blasted away.
79'
R. Berić enters the game and replaces F. Pogba.
Etienne are forced into making their final substitution of the game after Florentin Pogba goes down off the ball, resulting in him having to make way for Robert Beric.
Minute
Description
77'
Lingard almost makes it 3-0! This time it's Martial who embarks on a fantastic run towards the Etienne box before teeing up Lingard, but the winger's shot from 20 yards out ends up curling just wide of the near post after beating Ruffier.
75'
Z. Ibrahimović has scored a goal for Manchester United!
GOAL! Ibrahimovic has doubled United's lead! Rashford makes a great run forward as he skips into the Etienne penalty area and towards the near post. He then fires a low pass across the face of goal that Ruffier can only palm out to Ibrahimovic, who is then easily able to tap the ball into the back of the net from a few yards out.
73'
What a chance for Roux to equalise for Etienne! Selnaes is immediately called into action as he pokes a great pass into the path of Roux, but the forward is unable to chip the ball into the back of the net after beating Romero with his close-range strike.
72'
O. Selnæs enters the game and replaces V. Pajot.
Etienne have made a further alteration, with Pajot making way for Ole Selnaes.
71'
P. Pogba gets yellow.
Paul Pogba backs into Veretout and ends up catching the Etienne midfielder with a flailing arm, and he's the latest player to receive a yellow card as a result.
70'
M. Rashford enters the game and replaces Mata.
United have made their second change, with Marcus Rashford coming on to take the place of Mata.
69'
Paul Pogba hits the crossbar! Martial is fouled as he tries to fly forward, resulting in a free-kick for United in a dangerous position. It's curled into the penalty area and finds Pogba at the far post, but his bullet header smashes off the crossbar after beating the outstretched hand of Ruffier.
67'
J. Lingard gets yellow.
Perrin has been in the wars this evening, as, after being clattered in the head by Smalling, this time he receives a high boot from Lingard that catches him on the ankle and results in a yellow card for the United winger.
65'
N. Roux enters the game and replaces Jorginho.
Etienne have made their first alteration of the night, with Jorginho making way for Nolan Roux.
64'
V. Pajot gets yellow.
Pajot dives into the back of Herrera and catches the Spaniard with a poorly-timed challenge, resulting in the referee adding his name to his notebook.
63'
Chance for Paul Pogba! The midfielder beautifully spins round Veretout just outside of the Etienne penalty area before trying to beat Ruffier with a curling strike, but the goalkeeper dives well to his right to deny the United man with a fine save.
62'
Herrera is caught on the ball in the middle of the pitch by Saivet, who then flies forward. He works the ball out to Monnet-Paquet and a low cross is then fired into the heart of the box, but it fails to pick out a green shirt and is easily cleared by Smalling.
60'
Valencia is put under pressure deep down the right wing as Etienne try to put pressure on a United back line that have barely been tested since the break, but the Ecuadorian does well to keep three players at bay before earning the hosts a goal-kick.
58'
Ander Herrera gets yellow.
The set-piece is curled into the heart of the penalty area and finds Paul Pogba, but his downward header is cut out by his brother and results in an Etienne counter-attack. Jorginho charges down the right wing before taking on Ander Herrera, but the Spaniard brings the Portuguese crashing to the ground with a mistimed challenge that earns him a yellow card that rules him out for the second leg.
57'
Valencia goes close! Ibrahimovic out-muscles his marker on the edge of the box before teeing up Valencia to his right, but the full-back's thumping strike is deflected just wide of the far post and out for a corner.
55'
Martial pushes forward on another marauding run before trying to tee up Paul Pogba inside the penalty area, but the midfielder doesn't react to the pass from his fellow Frenchman and Etienne are just about able to deal with the danger.
53'
Almost a lovely goal for Martial! The Frenchman embarks on a wonderful run as he skips into the Etienne box. He easily beats Malcuit before taking on Ruffier, but the goalkeeper pulls off a strong save to deny the winger at the near post.
52'
A deflected Blind cross bounces out of the Etienne penalty area and towards Paul Pogba, but the midfielder's thumping effort fails to hit the target and instead sails several yards over the top of the crossbar.
51'
Ouch! United win themselves a free-kick over on the right flank after Valencia is caught by Veretout. The set-piece is curled into the box but is cut out by Perrin, who then receives a heavy blow to the head from Smalling as the two battle for the ball. The Etienne captain is left in serious discomfort in a heap on the floor.
49'
Ibrahimovic scores, but it's ruled out for offside! Mata cuts inside from the right wing and fires a great cross into the middle of the Etienne penalty area. It swings into the box and picks out Ibrahimovic, who then beats Ruffier with a bullet header, but the striker is slightly offside and the linesman's flag is quickly raised.
47'
A. Martial gets yellow.
Lingard makes an immediate impact as he ploughs through the middle of the pitch on a speedy run. He tees up Ibrahimovic, who takes on Theophile-Catherine before linking up with Martial, but the Frenchman is quickly penalised for a flailing arm that catches Malcuit in the face.
46'
J. Lingard enters the game and replaces M. Fellaini.
United have made one substitution during the break, with Jesse Lingard coming on to replace Fellaini.
We're underway once again!
45'
Malcuit sprints down the right wing on an impressive run before cutting a low pass back into the United box. It flies past three red shirts before falling nicely for Pajot, but the midfielder's first touch is poor and allows the ball run under his boot. It's picked up by Monnet-Paquet, but the winger can't swing his curling shot anywhere near the goal.
44'
Etienne keep putting pressure on United as they try to find a way back into the game before the half-time break. This time it's Veretout who attempts to start something for the visitors, but his cross-cum-shot from 30 yards out fails to find either a team-mate or the back of the net.
42'
United are caught out in the middle of the pitch, allowing Hamouma to fly through on goal. He's easily able to skip past Bailly as he sprints into the penalty area, but the striker's eventual shot is poor and sails comfortably wide of the near post.
41'
It's Etienne who are on top at the moment, and they're doing well to put United under a good amount of pressure as we near the half-time break. Hamouma drifts out to the left and picks up the ball on the side of the penalty area before poking it back to Monnet-Paquet, but the winger can't direct his shot on target and instead sends it trickling into the hands of Romero via the outstretched foot of Chris Smalling.
39'
Another important block by Bailly! A looping cross flies into the United penalty area and finds Hamouma in a promising position in front of goal. The striker immediately unleashes a well-timed half-volley, but Bailly is there to close down the danger once again.
37'
Etienne continue enjoying good spells of possession as they patiently push forward. They get themselves into a promising position before Pajot decides to try and test Romero from 30 yards out, but the midfielder's long-range effort isn't hit well enough to trouble the Argentine.
35'
Mata flies through the Etienne defence as he tries to latch on to a thumping pass forward from Valencia, but his run into the penalty area is slightly mistimed and, as a result, he's flagged offside just as he's about to unleash a shot on goal.
33'
Ibrahimovic receives a low pass 25 yards away from the Etienne goal and quickly chips a pass into the French side's penalty area. It looks set to bounce into the path of Mata in front of goal, but the Spaniard is beaten to the ball by Kevin Theophile-Catherine and loses out to the centre-back at the near post.
31'
And then Martial and Ibrahimovic both almost score! United hit Etienne on a counter-attack of their own, and it's one that narrowly avoids doubling their lead. Martial dances his way into the penalty area before unleashing a shot, but it's saved by Ruffier and takes Ibrahimovic by surprise, resulting in the striker poking his follow-up effort just over the top of the crossbar.
30'
Saivet goes close to equalising! A pass from Paul Pogba can only find his brother, and the full-back quickly kick-starts a swift counter-attack. Hamouma darts down the left wing on a great run before cutting inside and finding Saivet, but the on-loan forward can't find the bottom left-hand corner of the net with his toe-poked shot.
29'
Jorginho is caught by a late challenge from Ibrahimovic, resulting in a free-kick for Etienne just inside the United half of the pitch. It's quickly fired over the top of the hosts' back line and towards Hamouma, but, despite his best efforts, the striker is unable to make contact with the ball inside the box.
27'
Valencia is caught sleeping on the ball by Monnet-Paquet and allows the winger to dart his way into the United penalty area. He does well to reach the byline before trying to tee up a team-mate with a cross, but Bailly dives in front of the ball to stop it from finding a green shirt.
25'
What a chance for Mata! A lovely chipped pass from Pogba flies through the Etienne back line and finds Mata unmarked in front of goal. The Spaniard meets the ball well and immediately fires a volleyed strike towards goal, but Ruffier pulls off a great diving save to deny him the second goal of the game.
23'
Fellaini battles his way into the Etienne penalty area before winning United a corner over on the right wing. It's swung towards the near post by Mata and almost finds a red shirt, but the visitors have plenty of bodies in front of goal to easily deal with the danger.
21'
Etienne are able to string together a good series of passes before Malcuit cuts inside from the right flank and tries to take on Paul Pogba. He's unable to beat the United man, however, and the midfielder easily wins the ball back for the home side.
19'
Veretout dispossesses Martial just outside of the Etienne penalty area and kick-starts a quick counter-attack for the French side. It's worked over to Hamouma, who cuts inside and tees up Jorginho, but the Portuguese winger loses his footing under pressure from Blind and is unable to get a shot away from inside the United box.
17'
Despite starting the better of the two sides, Etienne have struggled over the last quarter of an hour and have seen very little of the ball. United are looking confident in possession and are doing well to continually put their opponents under plenty of pressure.
15'
Z. Ibrahimović has scored a goal for Manchester United!
GOAL! It's 1-0 to United! Ibrahimovic steps up and unleashes a low shot from the set-piece that flies into the wall in front of him. It deflects off the ankle of Vincent Pajot and towards goal, and, somehow, the ball rolls slowly past both Loic Perrin and Ruffier and into the back of the net.
14'
United have taken the lead! Daley Blind gets himself into a good position deep down the left flank and quickly sets up Ibrahimovic on the edge of the penalty area, but the Swede is bundled over by Jordan Veretout as soon as he makes contact with the ball. The referee awards a free-kick just outside of the box, and it's certainly in a great position for the home side.
13'
Henri Saivet is caught sleeping on the ball in the middle of the pitch, allowing Ibrahimovic to charge forward. The striker darts towards the penalty area before trying to penetrate the box, but Kevin Malcuit is there to help out his team-mate with an important interception.
11'
Ibrahimovic battles his way towards the Etienne penalty area once again before winning his side a throw-in over on the right flank. It's taken quickly and sent to Mata, who then swings a cross into the middle of the box, but Fellaini is unable to flick the ball on to Martial and the Etienne defence are easily able to deal with the danger.
9'
Chance for Anthony Martial! An Etienne attack breaks down, allowing United to counter quickly. They do so through Ibrahimovic, who charges down the left wing before teeing up Martial, but the Frenchman is unable to beat Stephane Ruffier with his curling shot from 25 yards out.
7'
The home side patiently pass the ball around inside the Etienne half of the pitch before Paul Pogba picks out Antonio Valencia with an excellent cross-field pass. The full-back brings it down beautifully and skips past Florentin Pogba before teeing up Juan Mata, who quickly links up with Marouane Fellaini, but the linesman's flag is raised a few seconds before the Belgian rifles a low strike into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
5'
United do well to break out of their own half of the pitch and work the ball up to Paul Pogba, who then tries to curl a cross into the Etienne penalty area and towards Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He's unable to pick out the Swedish striker, however, and the ball sails out of play.
3'
Almost another costly mistake! United are caught out at the back once again as they fall asleep on the ball inside their own box. It allows Romain Hamouma to round Sergio Romero before looking to shoot, but he's unable to do so from a tight angle and is eventually dispossessed, much to the hosts' relief.
2'
United embark on a good start to the game as they put Etienne under plenty of early pressure. A poor pass from Eric Bailly seems the lose the ball, however, but Kevin Monnet-Paquet's low cross from the left-hand side of the hosts' penalty area is well cleared by the Ivorian centre-back.
1'
We're off! United get us underway, attacking from left to right.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Europa League last-32 first leg tie between Manchester United and Saint Etienne at Old Trafford.
With Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa League games all to take part in over the next few weeks, United’s current schedule is proving to be a rather hectic one. Their main focus is undoubtedly to secure a place in next season’s Champions League, and Jose Mourinho has been quick to reassure fans that his side will give it their all in the Europa League, mainly due to the guaranteed Champions League place reserved for the winners of the competition.
After suffering a disappointing start to the group stage with a 1-0 defeat away to Feyenoord, United went on to win four of their next five clashes to finish in second place in Group A. Their final two encounters saw them hit their stride with easy victories against both Feyenoord and Zorya, and, coupled with the impressive domestic run that they currently find themselves on, they will no doubt be feeling confident about their chances of winning here this evening.
The two sides have only met one another in a European competition on two previous occasions way back in 1977, with United winning 2-0 on home soil after drawing 1-1 in France. Crowd trouble in the first leg meant that the return fixture was played in Plymouth rather than Manchester, meaning that tonight’s game will be the first ever meeting between the two at Old Trafford.
Etienne will be far from easy opponents, however, as they have lost just one of their previous 16 Europa League games. They enjoyed an unbeaten group stage campaign to finish top of Group C, one point clear of Anderlecht thanks to a final day win against the Belgian side, sending them through to the knockout stage of the competition for the second consecutive campaign.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this evening…
Saint Etienne substitutes: Moulin, Pierre-Gabriel, Lacroix, Selnaes, Lemoine, Beric, Roux.
Saint Etienne XI (4-2-3-1): Ruffier; Malcuit, Theophile-Catherine, Perrin, Florentin Pogba; Veretout, Pajot; Jorginho, Saivet, Monnet-Paquet; Hamouma.
Manchester United substitutes: De Gea, Darmian, Rojo, Young, Schweinsteiger, Lingard, Rashford.
Jose Mourinho has decided to make two changes to the United side that started the 2-0 victory at home to Watford on the weekend, with Sergio Romero and Marouane Fellaini coming into the starting line-up to replace David De Gea and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, respectively.
Manchester United XI (4-3-3): Romero; Valencia, Bailly, Smalling, Blind; Herrera, Fellaini, Paul Pogba; Mata, Ibrahimovic, Martial.
Meanwhile, Etienne boss Christophe Galtier has named an unchanged side to the one that featured in their last outing, with Florentin Pogba once again featuring at left-back as he takes on his younger brother Paul for the first time.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 1-0 SAINT ETIENNE
It hasn't been the best of first-half performances from United, but they nonetheless find themselves with a one-goal lead heading into the half-time break. They've arguably been the better of the two sides despite dropping off late on, and the half-time break certainly came at a good time for them as Etienne started to find more joy pushing forward. Hamouma and Monnet-Paquet have impressed in front of goal, whilst Malcuit has started finding some space deep down the right wing.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half.
FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 3-0 SAINT ETIENNE
In the end, it was a comfortable evening for United, who were easily able to weather a minor Etienne storm in the first half and deservedly leave with a three-goal lead that should mean that they are safely into the next round of the competition. They were comfortably the better of the two sides during the second period and made Etienne pay for some sloppy defending, leaving them with what should be an easy job to complete next week.
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