Manchester United moved to within 90 minutes of a Champions League group stage return courtesy of a 3-1 victory in the first leg of their playoff tie against Club Brugge at Old Trafford this evening.
The visitors were the first on the scoresheet when Michael Carrick deflected a free kick into his own net, but United soon bounced back with a Memphis Depay brace that sent them into the break ahead.
A second yellow card 10 minutes from time for Brandon Mechele saw the Belgians finish the match with a man fewer, and that numerical disadvantage finally told when Marouane Fellaini nodded home a third for his side with the final action of the game.
Here, Sports Mole looks at who stood out on an entertaining night of European football.
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MAN UTD
Goal
Sergio Romero: Had very little to do, but when he was called into action he didn't look entirely convincing. Not too much he could have done with Carrick's own goal, but was slow to clear the ball and almost got caught out on one particular occasion as a result. (5/10)
Defence
Matteo Darmian: Looks to be a really shrewd signing on the right side of defence. Another encouraging display, filled with forward runs and no defensive errors. (7/10)
Chris Smalling: Has started the season in fine form and continued that today. Didn't give the Brugge attackers any change with a dominant performance at the heart of the defence. Missed a very good chance late on, but did his primary job very well. (8/10)
Daley Blind: Has quickly warmed to the centre-back role. Almost caught out once or twice today, but always seemed to keep his composure and successfully see off the danger. (7/10)
Luke Shaw: Marauding performance from the left-back, particularly in the second half. Found things difficult up against Dierckx at times before the break, but certainly didn't look out of place on his Champions League debut. (7/10)
Midfield
Morgan Schneiderlin: Also made his Champions League debut, and was an important cog in United's machine as they dictated the tempo of the game. Was passed by too often at times in the second half as Brugge started brightly, but did nothing wrong after the break. (7/10)
Michael Carrick: At fault for the opening goal, turning the ball past his own keeper with a half-hearted attempt to intercept a free kick. Was also unable to stop a number of sweeping Brugge attacks, although he did ease into the game and will be credited with the assist for Depay's opener. United looked a lot more solid in the middle of the park when he was replaced by Schweinsteiger at half time, though. (5/10)
Juan Mata: Showed the occasional glimpse of his undoubted ability, but struggled to really impose himself on the game in a wider role. (6/10)
Adnan Januzaj: Started the match well, popping up everywhere in the final third and bamboozling defenders with his footwork. His end product was lacking a little, though, and he faded further after the break. (6/10)
Memphis Depay: The clear man of the match. Lived up to the famous number seven on his back with a stunning performance that saw him score two very well-taken goals and grab a late assist with a beauty of a cross. Brugge simply could not deal with him, although he did also miss two more glorious chances. (9/10)
Attack
Wayne Rooney: Still searching for a goal to end his nine-match drought, but played a solid supporting role to Depay this evening. Did one magical flick to set up the Dutchman, who really should have scored. (6/10)
Substitutes
Bastian Schweinsteiger: Passing was a little askew in the immediate aftermath of his half-time introduction, but he quickly settled and helped United to control the second half in a way that they never really managed in the first. (7/10)
Javier Hernandez: Was given a good reception on his first appearance since returning from a loan spell with Real Madrid. Buzzed about and drew the foul that resulted in Mechele's red card, but couldn't make a scoring impact. (6/10)
Marouane Fellaini: Brought on to provide an aerial threat and did exactly that, planting one header narrowly wide before scoring with virtually the last action of the match. (7/10)
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CLUB BRUGGE
Goal
Sebastien Bruzzese: Nothing he could have done about any of the goals, and made a few decent stops to keep his side in the tie at the halfway stage. (6/10)
Defence
Dion Cools: Utterly outclassed by Depay. Failed to recognise the repeated danger of the winger cutting inside onto his right foot, which he did time and time again to great effect. (4/10)
Oscar Duarte: Stood firm to deny United on a number of occasions when they pushed forward in the second half. Made one particularly good block to deny a Schweinsteiger piledriver. (7/10)
Brandon Mechele: Put in a good performance alongside Duarte until being shown a second yellow card for a foul on Hernandez with 10 minutes remaining. He could have no complaints over the decision. (6/10)
Laurens de Bock: Fortunate not to give away a penalty late in the second half, but enjoyed a much better evening than Cools on the opposite flank. Kept the likes of Mata and Darmian relatively quiet throughout. (6/10)
Midfield
Ruud Vormer: Played his part in a decent first-half display from his side, but was chasing shadows for much of the second as United dominated. (5/10)
Timmy Simons: Forced off five minutes before half time with a hamstring injury having protected his back four well up until that point. (6/10)
Tuur Dierckx: One of Brugge's brighter players in an attacking sense. Caused Shaw one or two problems down the wing, but faded with the majority of his teammates after the break. (6/10)
Victor Vazquez: Provided the free kick from which Carrick scored his own goal and looked the most likely to create something for the visitors throughout. (7/10)
Boli Bolingoli Mbombo: Showed flashes and hints of being able to trouble the United defence without ever really coming up with anything substantial in the final third. (6/10)
Attack
Abdoulay Diaby: Struggled to get into the game and became increasingly isolated as the match wore on. Was eventually replaced 10 minutes into the second half. (5/10)
Substitutes
Claudemir: Came on for the injured Simons towards the end of the first half but could do nothing to prevent United cruising the midfield battle after the interval. (5/10)
Obbi Oulare: Replaced Diaby in a straight swap up front and almost pounced on a Romero error, but was fractionally too slow to react. (6/10)
Hans Vanaken: Thrown on with just over 10 minutes remaining and failed to have a major influence on proceedings. (6/10)
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