Memphis Depay inspired Manchester United to victory over Club Brugge in a Champions League play-off as his side edged towards the group stages.
Brugge took a surprise first-leg lead through Michael Carrick's own goal.
But Depay drove in a low strike and brilliantly cut inside and curled in a 25-yard shot to put United ahead.
Brugge defender Brandon Mechele was sent off for two bookings after 80 minutes and Depay crossed for Marouane Fellaini to head in a late third.
The home side had looked set to be frustrated in their attempts to add to Depay's brace as the Dutchman ballooned a shot high after an excellent move and Chris Smalling headed straight at keeper Sebastien Bruzzese from close range.
But Fellaini came on as a late substitute for the out-of-sorts Wayne Rooney and finally turned United's superiority into a two-goal cushion going into next Wednesday's return leg.
How good was Depay?
This is the game in which United's £31m summer signing Depay announced himself to the Old Trafford fans - and he did it in some style.
He has mostly played just behind the main striker in his first two games but was switched to his more preferred left-wing role against Brugge - a move which paid off.
He dinked a ball over a defender, ran across the area and drove in a low shot for his first United goal as he combined skill, control and pace before a clinical edge.
Depay's second goal was even better as he received Daley Blind's pass, cut inside from the left and curled a shot into the far corner, although he should have scored a hat-trick only to shoot high after a Rooney flick from Luke Shaw's cross.
The Dutch international had 77 touches in the opposition half and eight touches in the opposition box, which were both a game-high.
Is Rooney showing signs of improving?
England captain Rooney has been leading the line for United but there was little sign of his first goal of the campaign coming against Brugge.
He managed only one touch in the area during Friday's 1-0 win at Aston Villa and when chances did come his way against the Belgian side he had a volley hacked clear and glanced a header wide from a corner.
Some of Rooney's best work came outside the box, with one of his passes and a clever backheel setting up Depay for two excellent chances which the Dutchman failed to take.
However he was taken off for Fellaini late on as United went for a more aerial approach which reaped dividends through the Belgian's goal.
"Wayne Rooney has had his best times at the club when he has had a partner. Adnan Januzaj is wandering all over the place and isn't close enough to Rooney but it is going to take time for this team to gel," said BBC Radio 5 live pundit Chris Waddle.
What can Man Utd expect in Brugge?
The Belgian side started well and were given an away goal as Carrick turned a Victor Vazquez free-kick into his own goal.
They tired and sat back the more the game progressed, although they could have levelled only for the referee to blow for a free-kick after Obbi Oulare forced United keeper Sergio Romero into a poor clearance.
Brugge, who need to win 2-0 at least, were not helped by captain Timmy Simons going off injured and will be without suspended defender Mechele.
They will also need influential playmaker Victor Vazquez, along with strikers Tuur Dierckx and Abdoulay Diaby, to show more attacking intent and threat if they are to stand a chance of overturning their deficit.
However, their Jan Breydel Stadium provides an intimidating atmosphere and manager Michel Preud'homme's side have won their three home matches so far this season. And,
Reaction:
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal on BT Sport: "We deserved much more because we created a lot of chances. It is what I am always saying, you have to be effective. We have a lot of chances and only three goals.
"I am happy because of the last goal. We have practiced that before. We put him in the penalty area because he has that quality.
"I am very happy for Memphis because a player needs that. I said it was a matter of time and hopefully he shall continue. He is 21 and he has only played two seasons for PSV, I have confidence in him.
"It is not a simple opponent. It is still a game but, because of that last goal, it is more confident for us."
Club Brugge manager Michel Preud'homme on BT Sport: "You have a small chance at home but it is going to be very difficult. I know Fellaini, of course, and he is very strong in that situation.
"We tried to play with our qualities. We missed a lot of players. The red card was very far for me, it is difficult to see.
"If we have to miss our captain and central defender, with all our injured players, I don't see the solution to beat Manchester United."
More to follow.
LINEUP, BOOKINGS (6) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)
Manchester United
- 20 Romero
- 36 Darmian Booked
- 12 Smalling Booked
- 17 Blind
- 23 Shaw
- 28 Schneiderlin
- 16 Carrick (Schweinsteiger - 45' )
- 08 Mata
- 11 Januzaj (Hernández - 72' )
- 07 Depay
- 10 Rooney (Fellaini - 84' )
Substitutes
- 14 Hernández
- 18 Young
- 21 Herrera
- 25 A Valencia
- 27 Fellaini
- 31 Schweinsteiger
- 50 Johnstone
Club Brugge
- 16 Bruzzese
- 21 Cools
- 04 Duarte
- 44 Mechele Dismissed after an earlier booking
- 28 De Bock
- 25 Vormer Booked
- 03 Simons (Claudemir - 40' )
- 55 Dierckx
- 07 Vázquez (Vanaken - 78' )
- 63 Bolingoli Mbombo Booked
- 10 Diaby (Oularé - 56' )
Substitutes
- 02 de Fauw
- 05 Castelletto
- 06 Claudemir
- 09 De Sutter
- 20 Vanaken
- 38 Bolat
- 58 Oularé
Ref: Deniz Aytekin
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