CRITICIZED by manager Jose Mourinho for being over-confident in the first leg at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s players put on a fine display of focus and discipline Wednesday to beat Saint-Etienne 1-0 and reach the last 16 of the Europa League with a 4-0 aggregate win.

    The Red Devils traveled to France for the last-32 return leg with a 3-0 advantage and put the game to bed with an early goal from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who scored the winner in the 17th minute from Juan Mata’s assist as United prevailed at Geoffroy Guichard stadium.

    United tightened its grip on the match with a strong defensive performance after moving ahead, despite playing with 10 men in the final half-hour after Eric Bailly was shown a second yellow card.

    Needing at least three goals to keep its hopes alive, Saint-Etienne got off to a strong start and created its first chance within the first minute when Henri Saivet tested goalkeeper Sergio Romero with a low shot from the right.

    Well organized in midfield, United easily slowed down the pace and prevented the hosts from hitting their stride. The Red Devils then converted their first chance to kill any sense of suspense when Mkhitaryan connected with a cross from Mata to put United ahead with a flick past Stephane Ruffier.

    Mata came close to doubling the lead six minutes later but Ruffier made a nice reflex save to parry away his cross after the ball was twice deflected by Saint-Etienne players.

    Mkhitaryan was forced to leave the pitch soon after with an apparent hamstring injury that could rule him out of Sunday’s League Cup final at Wembley against Southampton.(SD-Agencies)