Manchester United concede late equaliser to give Anderlecht hope in Europa League tie

United’s imposing strikeforce did not take long to stamp their authority and Lingard struck a post after Ibrahimvoic had been denied from close range.

It was a warning sign to the hosts and one they did not heed as Mourinho’s men found a way through shortly after the half-hour mark.

Ruben Martinez stopped Rashford’s initial attempt but Mkhitaryan was lurking to prod the loose ball home from an acute angle.

Manchester United deserved that lead and went in at half-time wondering if they could have been out of sight at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.

Anderlecht really needed to get themselves on the scoresheet to take some momentum into the return leg in England next week.

It was an improved performance from the home side in the second period as they probed through the exciting Frank Acheampong.

However, Michael Carrick was a calming presence in the midfield engine room for United and kept things ticking over with nice touches and passes.