Manchester United are within a strange period at the moment. The sad death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has led to a pair of postponements for Erik ten Hag's side - far from ideal in a season already riddled by fixture congestion. But the Europa League has continued to go on for United.
Prior to facing Real Sociedad, United had been in good form, winning four successive matches with a consistent starting side. But changes against La Real coincided with a drop in United's level of performance, with an admittedly contentious penalty decision ultimately seeing United lose their opening match against the side likely to be their main competition in Group E.
One week on from that disappointing night at Old Trafford, with an international break looming and the weekend meeting with Leeds United postponed, Ten Hag opted to revert to using his strongest available starting XI.
While there was no resting players to consider, it was still a statement of intent from Ten Hag to approach the trip to Moldova in the manner indicated by naming such a strong side. The best was made of a bad situation in terms of postponements.
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Sheriff actually started proceedings in a vein signifying intent, though United rectified things promptly and established more poise before long. Ten Hag's side started to move the ball more and more effectively as the early stages progressed, reaping the rewards of gaining control as they took the lead after 17 minutes.
It was a goal-scoring move that consisted of patient build-up before a brisk passing exchange involving Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho. It was then Christian Eriksen that ultimately played a key, incisive pass to Sancho on the edge of the box. And Sancho showed his composure and skill to produce a sharp turn and reverse finish into the far corner with his left foot.
It was a statement made by Sancho on the day that he learned that he wasn't going to be involved in the England squad for the upcoming international break. He played as though he had a point to prove, with his threat on the pitch growing by the game. Additionally, he is showing his class off-field, celebrating his goal by displaying a pair of shin pads gifted to him by a young fan in the week prior.
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United's establishment of a foothold in the match largely correlated with Scott McTominay - back in the starting side in place of Casemiro - upping his level again, combining well with Eriksen once more.
McTominay hasn't always offered the highest, most reliable levels involvement in possession. Recently, however, he has become visibly more adept at offering himself as an option, becoming less anonymous in midfield and moving the ball well.
There is definite weight to the argument that McTominay has been able to simplify his game alongside a player with the technical ability of Eriksen, who has taken on the play-making responsibilities. Hereby, McTominay has been able to merely get hold of the ball and distribute, which he is more suited to.
The more refined nature of his game has also shown off the ball. While still working typically hard, he is no longer running around with seemingly no clear aim, simultaneously positioning himself well from a defensive standpoint. There is a greater showcase of his physical acumen given he is positionally more disciplined, with his defensive game improving.
Despite impressing, McTominay did find himself withdrawn at half-time in order to afford Casemiro more game-time to build on his start against Real Sociedad. It has been clear that Casemiro still has work to do in order to get up to speed, and his second half against Sheriff offered proof that the more he plays, the better he will continue to look.
Casemiro is becoming increasingly effective in both breaking up play and distributing the ball as he features more. The main issue is that McTominay is also impressing in those departments, and it won't be an easy task to displace him at present (if he can maintain his current consistency).
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Another noteworthy selection from Ten Hag was that of Cristiano Ronaldo, who started again despite not necessarily impressing against La Real. Albeit, there is a sizeable caveat that Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial didn't travel due to their respective injuries, so it does remain to be seen if Ronaldo would have started if either of the pair were fit.
Regardless, it was another chance for Ronaldo to prove that he is up to the task under Ten Hag. And he finally managed to break his goal-scoring duck for the season, albeit from the penalty spot after Diogo Dalot was tripped when running onto a Fernandes pass. The penalty was won courtesy of sustained pressure placed on Sheriff, with defensive frailties exposed and Ronaldo ultimately converting down the middle with assurance from 12 yards.
Concerningly for those connected to United, Ronaldo didn't do much else with the same assurance. Despite his goal, he never really kicked on and failed to make any real mark from open play. To his credit, he was visibly trying to do what Ten Hag wants from his forwards. But none of this was done effectively enough.
Actions such as dropping deep to link play that come along with Ten Hag's desire for attacking fluidity weren't executed exceptionally. At times, it even seemed as though Ronaldo was more of an interference when dropping in among the midfield - also removing himself as a focal point.
There remains a knack to pick up very good areas inside the final third, but even there Ronaldo is uncharacteristically lacking a clinical edge (possible a sign of a lack of sharpness). He's clearly trying his hardest to make things work, but work there is to do.
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United didn't blow Sheriff away by any means, but they did enough to maintain control of the game. There are things that will concern Ten Hag, including the Ronaldo predicament and a collective lack of any ruthless edge. Against stronger opposition, there are flaws that could be exposed.
Nonetheless, United still did absolutely enough to restrict Sheriff while producing moments of quality. It was an assured performance, but there are still more gears to find.
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