Result: Manchester United 4-0 AZ Alkmaar
Date: 12 December 2019
Venue: Old Trafford Stadium
Manchester United secured top spot in Group L after thrashing AZ Alkmaar 4-0 defeat in their final UEFA Europa League group stage encounter on Thursday evening.
United's few changes from the loss to Astana saw Sergio Romero, Harry Maguire, Ashley Young, Brandon Williams, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Anthony Martial starting.
Andreas Pereira opened up the visitors with pace on the far side of the area five minutes from kickoff, but Marco Bizot effectively thwarted the close-range shot.
The other meeting between two came in the reverse fixture that ended goalless, with United on the back foot following a positive start.
The Red Devils broke the deadlock following a sweep passing move in the area allowed Young to finish off from the back post after a low cross from Mata inside the 54th minute.
Mason Greenwood gave the hosts a further cushion three minutes later after his low shot near the area landed into the far corner, with the visitors claiming a foul in the build-up.
Greenwood went on the deck after his pace into the area proved too much for Jordy Clasie, who tripped the attacker- giving away a penalty which Mata coolly converted on 62 minutes.
The home side were not done as Greenwood collected a pass from Mata two minutes later and drilled beyond Bizot from an acute angle on the right.
Phil Jones made a way off the bench following the 68th minute with Young, captain on the day making way as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer shored up the result.
United advance to the knockout stages as Group L winners and are joined by Alkmaar who finished second in the group amidst the heavy thrashing
