Anthony Martial Penalty Gives Manchester United Crucial Win vs Partizan Belgrade

Manchester United remain unbeaten in Group L of the 2019-20 UEFA Europa League after beating Partizan Belgrade 1-0 on Thursday night.

Anthony Martial struck a 43rd-minute penalty for the visitors at the Partizan Stadium. Impressive 19-year-old left-back Brandon Williams won the penalty after drawing a foul from Nemanja Miletic.

The win, combined with a victory over Astana and a draw with AZ Alkmaar, leaves the Red Devils on seven points and in a commanding position to qualify.

United fielded a team with a mix of youth and experience. Academy graduates Brandon Williams and James Garner were interspersed with established names like Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and the returning Anthony Martial.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has shuffled the deck, but he stuck with the same back three United utilised during Sunday's 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool in the Premier League. The formation gave Scott McTominay license to push forward, but the midfielder missed two excellent chances, heading over the bar and dragging a shot wide.

Sensing the visitors lacked impetus going forward, Partizan upped their game. Wide players Takuma Asano and former United flop Zoran Tosic were causing problems. So was Seydouba Soumah, whose pace and power dragged United defenders out of position.

Partizan went closest when Umar Sadiq hit the post from distance, while Asano curled an effort just wide of the top corner.

The hosts were in the ascendancy, but damaged their chances when right-back Miletic tripped Williams in the area. United's left-back hadn't been shy about getting forward, and his enterprise merited the spot-kick a confident Martial tucked away.

Martial missed nearly two months with a hamstring problem, but the Frenchman remains the best finisher along the Red Devils' forward line.

The homes side grew frustrated after the break, believing key decisions weren't going their way. It looked like it when Miletic headed against Williams inside the area, and the ball clearly struck the United defender on the hand.

However, the referee booked Miletic for his protests, having already shown a yellow card to Bibras Natcho for similar protests.

Partizan were doing all the running, with United's attack blunted once Marcus Rashford replaced Anthony Martial on the hour mark. Yet for all their endeavour, the hosts were struggling to fashion clear-cut chances, with Sadiq firing just over from long range.

The Nigerian was causing United's high-priced, including the world's most-expensive defender Harry Maguire, more than a few problems.

Winger Daniel James had also replaced right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the away side, prompting a shift to a flat back four. United wanted more players at the heart of midfield, but Partizan were still finding possession and passes easy to come by in central areas.

A breakthrough nearly came nine minutes from time when Natcho's corner was met with a flicked header by Asano. The cute flick drew a fine save from United stand-in goalkeeper Sergio Romero.

Natcho clipped a shot wide, while Romero was forced to tip a cross behind in stoppage time. United did just enough to hold on, though, and seal a commendable win from a difficult journey, against what looks to be the toughest opponent in the group.

What's Next?

United face Norwich City away in the Premier League on Sunday, while Partizan host Spartak Subotica in domestic action on the same day.