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Man United take comfortable first-leg win vs. St. Etienne via Zlatan hat trick

MANCHESTER, England -- Three quick thoughts from Manchester United's 3-0 Europa League win over St. Etienne at Old Trafford on Thursday.

1. Man United take comfortable lead to France

It may be an exaggeration to say everyone else in the Europa League is quaking in their boots, but Manchester United illustrated why they have been billed as one of the favourites to win the competition. A place in the round of 16 is theirs for the taking.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic saw off St. Etienne with his first United hat trick and a clean sheet means that, should they score in the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Wednesday, their hosts will need at least five goals to eliminate them.