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Ronaldo, who was left out of the squad for the weekend Premier
League trip to Chelsea for disciplinary reasons, scored United's
third goal after Diogo Dalot and Marcus Rashford had given the
home side a comfortable lead.
United are in second place in Group E with 12 points from five
matches ahead of their visit to Real Sociedad in their final
pool game next week, where victory could see them top the table
and book a place straight into the last 16.
Erik ten Hag's side never looked troubled against Moldovan
outfit Sheriff and might have been out of sight by halftime
after creating numerous chances but only had Dalot’s header from
a Christian Eriksen corner just before the break to show for it.
Defender Harry Maguire came on for the second half having missed
the previous eight games with a hamstring injury as United
doubled their lead when Rashford headed in Luke Shaw's cross in
the 65th. Ronaldo netted a late third from close range.
The group winners qualify for the last 16 while the eight
runners-up will compete in February's playoffs where they face
the eight teams coming third in their Champions League groups.
Sociedad defeated Omonia 2-0 thanks to goals from Robert Navarro
and Brais Mendez, while Jose Mourinho's AS Roma kept their
knockout round hopes alive with a 2-1 win at HJK Helsinki in
Group C after striker Tammy Abraham scored their opener.
They have seven points from five matches and lie in third place,
needing to beat Ludogorets at home next week to stay in the
competition.
PSV PROGRESS
Dutch side PSV Eindhoven had earlier advanced to the knockout
stage following a 2-0 home win over Arsenal thaks to goals from
Joey Veerman and Luuk De Jong.
The result ends Arsenal’s 100% start to Group A, though they had
already sealed a place in the top two before the loss.
Ferencvaros are into the last 16 as Group H winners after a 1-1
draw with AS Monaco, who must win their final fixture at home to
Red Star Belgrade to make sure of second place.
Ferencvaros have qualified for the post-Christmas stages of
European competition for the first time since 1974-75.
Belgium's Royale Union Saint-Gilloise were crowned Group D
winners with a 2-0 victory at Malmo, while Bundesliga leaders
Union Berlin beat visiting Portuguese side Braga 1-0 to move
above their opponents into second place in the pool.
Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Pedro were on target as the
Italians came from behind to beat Midtjylland 2-1, and were
joined on eight points in Group F by Sturm Graz, who defeated
Feyenoord 1-0 with a 93rd minute winner from Otar Kiteishvili.
Any of the four teams could still advance from that group.
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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