Odion Ighalo’s 28 minutes wonder goal set the tone as Manchester United took full control of their last-16 Europa League tie with a commanding 5-0 victory against LASK.
The match played in a near-empty stadium of about 500 spectators at the Linzer Stadion, after the Austrian government had taken precautionary measures in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Ighalo opened the scoring in the 28 minutes having received a past from Bruno Fernandes, the striker took two touches to beat three defenders before smashing the ball with his left foot, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to his spot.
The 30-year-old Nigeria striker has now scored four goals in three starts for United, who are now unbeaten in their last 11 games in all competitions, having joined on loan from Chinese club, Shanghai Shenhua.
Teenager, Daniel James scored the second for United with a right foot effort into the bottom corner after receiving a pass from Ighalo.
Juan Mata added the third, while substitutes Mason Greenwood and Andreas Pereira, added a fourth and fifth in injury time respectively to put Ole Solskjaer’s team in cruise control ahead of the return fixture at Old Trafford.
United’s well-deserved victory maintained their record of having never lost to Austrian opposition in European competition.
