Cristiano Ronaldo scored on his return to Manchester United’s first team as Red Devils defeated Moldovan side FC Sheriff in their UEFA Europa League Group E penultimate game at Old Trafford on Thursday night to keep the top position race alive.

Ronaldo, reprimanded by Erik ten Hang and banned from the first team squad after his antics on United’s 3-0 victory over Tottenham in the Premier League last week and subsequently missed the following game against Chelsea, returned to the starting lineup.

United started the game on a brighter note, maintaining total possession of the ball and threatening Sherrif’s half with several attacking plays but the defensive-minded visitors managed to keep United at bay until the 44th minute when Diogo Dalot headed Christian Eriksen’s corner kick into the back of the net to break the deadlock for the Red Devils.

Dalot’s header was the difference as the first half of the one-sided encounter ended 1-0.

The hosts continued their domination in the second half of the game, with substitute Marcus Rashford doubling United’s lead in the 65th minute before Cristiano Ronaldo sealed the victory for Manchester United just eleven minutes before the full-time whistle.

United will visit group leader Real Sociedad, who won their own game against Super Eagles’ goalkeeper Francis Uzoho Omonia Nicosia 2-0 in the other game of the group in Cyprus, in the final game of the group.

For United to escape the long route of going into the round of 32 and facing one of eight teams demoted to the competition from the Champions League, they must beat Real Sociedad by at least two goals to knock the La Liga club off the top of the group.

The winner of each group in the Europa League will automatically qualify for the round of 16 of the competition.