ZLATAN'S HATTRICK DESTROYS THE SAINTS

The striker continued his fine run of form in front of goal as Jose Mourinho's men secured victory in the Europa League at Old Trafford
Manchester United claimed a 3-0 win over Saint-Etienne in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie thanks to a first hat-trick for the club from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The striker's deflected free-kick after quarter of an hour and a second-half double were enough to give the home side an important if not wholly convincing victory at Old Trafford.
The match - which saw brothers Paul and Florentin Pogba face one another for the first time competitively - was United's first of four in only 10 days, but manager Jose Mourinho nonetheless named a strong side in an effort to take control of the tie.
Ibrahimovic duly obliged with the opening goal after 15 minutes - his 21st of the season in all competitions - but Saint-Etienne looked a real threat for much of the first half against a United side that seemed strangely imbalanced and out-of-sorts.
Mourinho responded with a tactical tweak after the break and the home side soon began to assume control of proceedings, although Ibrahimovic saw a second goal disallowed and Anthony Martial missed a good chance of his own to double the lead.
Paul Pogba hit the crossbar before Nolan Roux wasted a glorious opportunity for a vital away goal, but Ibrahimovic added a second from close range before adding a late third from the penalty spot to make certain of the win and give United a strong chance of progressing to the last 16.
United started shakily but a huge slice of luck saw them take the lead.Ibrahimovic'sfree-kick from the edge of the area struck the base of the Saint-Etienne wall and trickled beyond the wrong-footed Stephane Ruffier and into the net.

Mata blasted a volley straight at Ruffier as United pushed for a second, and Ibrahimovic contrived to turn a loose ball over the bar from less than six yards out after Martial's mazy run and shot saw the ball blocked into his path.
The visitors - roared on by their boisterous following - were certainly not daunted by their deficit, though, and Henri Saivet missed the best of a number of half-chances as they began to stroll through United's midfield to attack the back four almost at will.

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