Manchester United weakness almost cost them twice against Omonia Nicosia

Manchester United made their 34th and final attempt count. After a frustrating and often flawed night at Old Trafford, they avoided a Europa League embarrassment by the skin of their teeth once again.

United had to bail themselves out of trouble in Nicosia a week ago, winning 3-2 after going a goal down, and a week later they found it similarly difficult on home turf.

Across two games United have been utterly dominant against what has, in all truth, been average opposition. They've had 62 shots to Omonia's 11.

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But they've been nowhere near ruthless enough. At Old Trafford they were a couple of minutes away from a draw that would have damaged their Europa League chances before Scott McTominay saved their blushes.

The substitute finally found a firm finish to beat Francis Uzoho, who looked distraught at the final whistle. The roar that greeted the winner wasn't the kind of noise anyone had expected a couple of hours earlier.

Thursday night football holds little appeal to United and after a pulsating night of Champions League football on Wednesday, this was a reminder of where Erik ten Hag's side have fallen to - and where they need to return to.

They could get a taste of the big time earlier than expected, given a runner-up spot in this group will mean a February meeting with a team finishing third in the Champions League. A Ten Hag reunion with Ajax, anyone? Or maybe a meeting with Frenkie de Jong's Barcelona in the competition he was desperate to avoid in the summer?

Juventus, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid also lurk in third at the moment. That's the kind of calibre of opponent United expect to be playing, just not in this competition, especially