Anthony Martial strikes late as Man Utd ease through to quarter-finals

Manchester United eased through to the last eight of the Europa League, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial trumping Philipp Weisinger’s brilliant opener and making for a 7-1 aggregate score. United now play FC Copenhagen, in Cologne on Monday, for a spot in the semi-finals.

The first half was every bit as miserable as might have been expected given the score, teams and conditions, though both sides ought to have scored in the first half. For LASK, Andres Andrade headed against the bar, while for United, Harry Maguire twice headed over the bar.

United played much quicker and much better in the second half. but went behind on 55 minutes when Weisinger curved home a beauty. However it was not long before United drew level, Lingard just about slotting home after dithering, with the aid of a slight deflection.

Both sides made chances to win in what remained of the tie, but neither could quite find enough quality until Martial came off the bench and found a winner. United will fancy their chances when the serious business gets going next week.

Who should United buy? On the one hand, the first XI’s most pressing needs are extremely clear - centre-back and defensive midfield - and Jadon Sancho is too good not to get. But on the other hand, they have very little quality outside of that extremely serviceable first XI, so might sacrifice a starter for a squad player.

Jesse Lingard (Man United) Slim pickings, but he looked quick, creative and sharp, sparking United inasmuch as they sparked and scoring their equalising goal. If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can bear to use an attacker not already in his first XI, there's a fair chance it'll be Lingard.

Man Utd: Romero 6, Fosu-Mensah 5, Bailly 6, Maguire 6, Fred 6, McTominay 6, Lingard 7, Mata 6, Ighalo 5, James 5. Subs: Pogba 6, Pereira 7, Chong 7, Mengi 6.

LASK: Schlager 6, Weisinger 7, Trauner 6, Andrade 6, Rnaftl 5, Holland 5, Michori 5, Renner 5, Frieser 6, Raguz 6, Balic 5. Subs: Filipovic 6, Reiter 6, Sabitzer 6.

55’ - WHAT A GOAL! Man United 0-1 LASK (Weisinger) agg 1-5. OH MY DAYS! Fosu-Mensah half-clears the corner, but the ball speeds towards Weisinger, skipping a long the turf. He reads it perfectly, smacking a sidefooter that starts outside the far post then screeches back and into the top corner!

57’ - Here's Weisinger again, 20 yards out ... and this time he punches just wide!

57’ - GOAL! Man United 1-1 LASK (Lingard) agg 6-1 A misplaced pass allows United to counter, and Fred feeds Mata, who turns around the corner and Lingard is through! What is he waiting for! He allows Weisinger to slide in, but shoots just in time so that he can only divert the ball in.

73’ - But here come LASK, Renner cutting into the box with a clear path to goal! But from a narrowish angle, he whacks straight at Romero.

88’ -GOAL! Manchester United 2-1 LASK (Martial ) agg 7-1 Lovely from Mata and Martial, the former finding the latter, then the former finding the latter again, who is so full of confidence. He sways past Trauner, looks to do the the keeper with the eyes, and then shoots too close to him .. but when it's going for you it's going for you, and the ball dribbled in.

90+3’ - Excuse me while I interrupt myself! Frieser goes down the right, crosses low and hard ... and Raguz flicks hard at goal, but Romero flicks out a shoulder to block. Good effort, good save, and that'll be it.