Manchester United earned comfort in the unfamiliar surroundings of the Europa League with a 2-0 win at Ajax yesterday while its English rival Manchester City fought back against holder Porto to also take control of its round of 32 tie.
Winger Ashley Young put three-times European champion United ahead just before the hour mark and Javier Hernandez extended the lead five minutes from time as it showed it meant business in a competition it would rather not be in.
Its domestic title rival Manchester City made it harder for itself in Portugal by conceding in the first half, against the run of play, before an Alvaro Pereira own goal and a late Sergio Aguero strike put it on course for the next round.
