Favourites Inter off to Europa flyer as United are held

Serie A title challengers Inter Milan got off to a solid start in the first leg of their Europa League last 32 tie against Ludogorets, while much-fancied Manchester United and Sevilla were held away from home.

Inter, who’s attention lies elsewhere in the Serie A title race, secured a late 2-0 away win in Bulgaria thanks to a long-range effort from January signing Christan Eriksen and a stoppage time Romelu Lukaku penalty to put them firmly in charge heading back to San Siro.

©Getty / Claudio Villa - Inter

Meanwhile, Manchester United secured an away goal in a 1-1 tie against Club Brugge despite back up goalkeeper Sergio Romero being embarrassed early on by an Emmanuel Dennis lob - the same player who has already netted a double against Real Madrid in the Champions League this season.

United struck back before the break though, with Anthony Martial securing a vital away goal taking his turn to embarrass the Brugge defence, robbing Brandon Mechele before slotting home past former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

The competitions most successful team, Sevilla, also notched a 1-1 draw away from home thanks to Youssef En-Nesyri’s late effort cancelling out home side Cluj’s lead in Romania, while the team two places above them in La Liga, Getafe, shocked last season’s Champions League semi-finalists Ajax 2-0 at home.

Salzburg, dropping down from the Champions League, succumbed to an embarrassing 4-1 away at Eintracht Frankfurt, whilst the story was similar for Benfica who lost 2-1 in Ukraine against Shakhtar Donetsk.

⏰ EARLY RESULTS ⏰

✅ Wins for Shakhtar, Frankfurt, Inter, Getafe & Sporting CP

Who impressed most? 🧐#UEL

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 20, 2020