Late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho saw Manchester United win 2-0 at Villarreal in Michael Carrick’s first game in temporary charge, a result which sees the visitors progress to the last 16 of the Champions League.

Carrick made four changes from Saturday’s 4-1 mauling at Watford in what turned out to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s last match as United manager – leaving Bruno Fernandes on the bench – but the visitors still struggled in the first half.

However, with the Group F contest seemingly petering out into a draw at El Madrigal, up popped Ronaldo to make the breakthrough with a brilliant piece of anticipation to nip in and score his sixth Champions League goal this season and his 10th overall.

Sancho’s emphatic finish sealed the victory in the 90th minute, after a well-worked team move, to hand United all three points and, as a result, they have qualified as group winners for the knockout phases with a game to spare, while Villarreal will have to fight it out with Atalanta, who drew 3-3 with Young Boys, for the runners-up spot.

Caretaker manager Michael Carrick handed a start to Donny van de Beek and named Bruno Fernandes among the substitutes as he selected his first Manchester United side for the Champions League match against Villarreal.

Van de Beek made only his third start of the season in place of Fernandes as one of four changes to the starting XI beaten 4-1 at Watford on Saturday, with Fred replacing Nemanja Matic and Anthony Martial starting ahead of Marcus Rashford. The other change was enforced with Alex Telles at left-back in place of Luke Shaw.

Villarreal boss Unai Emery included winger Arnaut Danjuma and midfielder Etienne Capoue in his side, but Paco Alcacer, who scored in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford, was among the substitutes.

David de Gea had to be on his game early on to keep out Moi Gomez’s low drive from the edge of the area, before repeating the trick to deny Manu Trigueros midway through the first half as the two teams went in level at the break.