Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United overcome Zorya – just – and Inter Milan slump

Balotelli scores against Krasnodar but Nice go down against Russians.

Manchester United's Paul Pogba has a shot at goal against Zorya Luhansk. Reuters / Jason Cairnduff

Manchester United get on the board, Inter Milan were stunned at Sparta Prague, Schalke put their Bundesliga woes to one side when cruising past Salzburg, while Mario Balotelli got on the score sheet for Nice again in Europa League action.

Here are the Europa League picks from Matchday 2 on Thursday:

Manchester United’s left it late to pick up their first points of the campaign in Group A against Zorya Luhansk.

Despite a dominant display from the home side at Old Trafford, the Ukranian outfit held out until the 67th minute before Zlatan Ibrahimovic got on the end of a miscued Wayne Rooney kick – seconds after the Englishman came on as a substitute – to nod home.

While Schalke have suffered five consecutive Bundesliga losses under new manager Markus Weinzierl, they skipped to a 3-1 win over Austrians Salzburg. This season has brought them their worst start to a Bundesliga season where they have yet to earn a single point. But with goals from Leon Goretzka, who headed home the opener on 15 minutes, Benedikt Howedes from a corner and an own goal in a scramble, Schalke made it two wins from two in Group I after their 1-0 win at Nice last time out. It was their 14th unbeaten game in the Europa League group phase. For Salzburg, Jonatan Soriano exposed the German team’s defensive frailties with his 72nd-minute consolation.

Two early strikes from Vacvlav Kladec gave Sparta Prague the impetus to eventually overcome 10-man Inter Milan 3-1 at the Generali Arena. Inter may be third in Serie A, but in Europe they are struggling having lost 2-0 at home to Hapoel Be’er Sheva on Matchday 1. After defender Andrea Ranocchia was sent off, Sparta striker Mario Holek headed home the ensuing free kick and the Italians looked dead and buried with 15 minutes to go. Manager Frank de Boer will have been furious as Inter captain Rodrigo Palacio had dragged them back into contention, finishing off a fine move to make it 2-1.

Krasnodar crushed Nice 5-2 in Group I for a second Europa League win for the Russians, who also won 1-0 at Salzburg two weeks ago. For Nice it was a second defeat from two games following a 1-0 home loss to Schalke. But for the Ligue 1 leaders, their romance with Italian striker Mario Balotelli continues to bloom as the 26-year-old got his fifth goal in four games. Trailing after strikes from Fedor Smolov on 22 minutes and Joaozinho, 11 minutes later, Balotelli slipped as he struck a curling shot home in the 43rd minute before bending over to cough and retch having complained of fever overnight. For the in-form Russians, there were braces from the two Brazilians Joaozinho and Ari, who replaced Smolov when he limped off after his opener.

* Agencies

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