Manchester United started well under Michael Carrick, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho scoring inside the final 12 minutes to secure a 2-0 victory at Estadio de la Ceramica.
It took a superb David De Gea to keep the visitors in it at 0-0 before late goals by the Portugal and England internationals put the Red Devils three points clear at the top of Group F, with Atalanta and Young Boys remaining to play.
United’s last group opponents are the Swiss, while Villarreal faces the Italians in the final round of games, which will likely determine who progresses alongside the managerless Premier League heavyweights.
