Wayne Rooney stepped off the bench to set up Ibrahimovic as United laboured to a 1-0 win against the Ukranian minnows at Old Trafford
Wayne Rooney came off the bench to help drag lacklustre Manchester United to their first Europa League win.
Rooney had only been on the pitch for a couple of minutes when he set up Zlatan Ibrahimovic to head home at Old Trafford on 69 minutes.
United were flat against Euro rookies Zorya Luhansk and needed talismanIbrahimovic to spare their blushes when he bagged his sixth goal in his 10 games for the Reds.
Jose Mourinho made four changes and United were very poor as they finally for their Group A campaign up and running.
The Portuguese looked frustrated throughout and cut an animated figure in front of a sparse crowd.
Here are five things we learned.
1. Europa League fails to get Old Trafford going
The Manchester United fans aren't excited by the Europa League.
The top tier of the East Stand was closed as supporters stayed away in their thousands and United had to fill some of the empty seats with schoolkids.
2. Memphis has no place in new regime
Jose Mourinho doesn't rate Memphis Depay.
Mourinho left Depay on the bench, despite making four changes to his starting line-up.
The Dutchman, whose only start was against Northampton in the EFL Cup, faces a tough task to win him over.
3. Is Rooney's luck set to change?
Wayne Rooney finally got a break.
After a tough few weeks for Rooney, which cost him his place, he finally enjoyed a slice of luck when he came on against Zorya Luhansk.
He assisted Zlatan Ibrahimovic with his scuffed shot and that could give him the confidence boost he needs.
4. Pogba must have more influence
Paul Pogba needs to pull the finger out.
Pogba should have bossed this game, but instead he flitted in and out of the game.
The France star needs to start playing like the word's most-expensive player.
5. More like it from Mata
Juan Mata deserves Jose's love.
Mourinho claims Mata has found his "natural habitat" at Old Trafford and the Spanish playmaker looked at home as he buzzed about the pitch, putting some of his team-mates to shame.
David McDonnell player ratings
Manchester United
Romero 6 - Replaced De Gea and showed good concentration to deny Paulinho.
Fosu-Mensah 5 - Began well, but looked vulnerable when Zorya countered.
Bailly 6 - Booked. Commanding at the back for United and tackled well.
Smalling 6 - Skipper in place of Rooney and made a good early covering header.
Rojo 5 - Got forward well, but was caught out by Zorya’s pace on the break.
Fellaini 5 - Headed over and lacked the range of passing United needed.
Pogba 5 - Played one decent ball, but failed to grab this game by the neck.
Lingard 6 - Came inside looking for the ball and had a header blocked.
Mata 7 - MOTM. Was an example to his team-mates with this workrate and running.
Rashford 6 - Smashed a drive against the underside of the bar.
Ibrahimovic 5 - The Swede was subdued and had a shot deflected wide.
Subs
Rooney 5 (for Lingard, 67)
Young 5 (for Mata, 73)
Martial 5 (for Fosu-Mensah, 73)
Zorya
Shevchenko 6; Kamenyuka 5, Sivakov 6, Forster 7, Sobol 6; Grechyshkin 6, Chaykovskiy 6 (Gordienko, 80); Karavaev 5, Ljubenovic 6 (Lipartia, 76), Petriak 6; Kulach 6 (Paulinho 60, 6)
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