United move to within a point of qualifying for the Champions League last 16 with Victory Over Istanbul Basaksehir

Bruno Fernandes scored a brace and appeared to give up the chance of a hat-trick from the penalty spot as Manchester United avenged their defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir earlier this month with a convincing 4-1 win at Old Trafford.

Fernandes was the catalyst with a stunning long-range opener early in the first half.

He doubled the lead before passing up a hat-trick chance when he allowed Marcus Rashford to convert the penalty that brought United’s third goal before halftime.

Basaksehir’s Deniz Turuc netted a fine free-kick but, after a late United wobble, Daniel James struck in the final moments to seal the points.

United’s third win from four group matches means one point from their last two games against Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig would secure their place in the last 16.

“We need one point, but of course we want to be top of the group but we’ll take it one game at a time,” Solskjaer said.

United’s loss in Istanbul had raised serious questions about Solskjaer’s ability to hold onto his job.

But successive Premier League wins against Everton and West Brom, followed by this emphatic success, have eased the pressure on Solskjaer a little.

Solskjaer named Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani in the starting line-up for the first time since his signing in October.

With Paul Pogba still sidelined by a swollen ankle, there was a rare start for Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek.

“The two are getting used to how we want them to play. Donny can play in different positions and Edinson is a good old fashioned No 9. We haven’t had that for a while,” Solskjaer said.

Both Cavani, who has scored once in seven appearances for United, and Van de Beek did their chances of a more regular action no harm with solid displays, but it was Fernandes and Rashford who stole the show.