ON a night when the Busby Babes were remembered Manchester Uniteds young players did their club proud.
Players like James Garner, 18 and Brandon Williams, 19, did themselves justice in a hostile environment in Belgrade.
They came out winners as Anthony Martials penalty just before half-time in his first start for two months separated the sides.
They had to face waves of attack in the second-half from the Serbian side and numerous cries for penalties.
But Ole Gunnar Solskjaers men stayed strong to top their Group in the Europa League and put one foot in the knockout stages.
There was an added poignancy to the teams lining up before kick-off.
It had been here back in 1958 where the Busby Babes stood together as a team for the last time before eight players perished in the Munich air disaster.
It was a night teenager Garner wont forget. His only other first team experience was as a last minute substitute at Crystal Palace last February.
The midfielders performances for the Under-23s have demanded a place on the start sheet and last night he got his reward.
Williams was making only second start for the club, playing last night in a left wing-back role as Solskjaer once again employed three central defenders.
It was a tactic that got its reward last Sunday as they very nearly beat table toppers Liverpool, drawing 1-1 in the end at Old Trafford.
It got its reward last night too for it was the spring-heeled Williams who would win United the penalty that gave them a half-time lead.
He tore into the box in the 42nd minute and was brought down by Nemanja Miletic.
The referee did not hesitate in pointing to the spot and it was up to Martial to do the rest.
Partizans Sasa Zdjelar got right in the Frenchmans face talking to him and trying to put him off while the referee reminded the goalkeeper about staying on his line.
Martial was not phased and held his nerve sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
It was the quietest the stadium had been all night as the ball nestled into the back of the net.
To highlight Uniteds recent problems up front the goal was Uniteds first shot on target in this seasons Europa League since the 89th minute in game one at home to Astana.
The hope will be that it gives Martial confidence to go on a scoring streak now he is back from injury.
He certainly looked a relieved man after scoring as he looked to the skies.
United had come close before that with Jesse Lingard hitting the post with a low long range shot.
Partizan found the woodwork too when Umar Sadiq beat Sergio Romero with an angled drive but saw the ball come back off the inside of the far upright.
The Partizan fans were back in full voice as their side began the second-half on the front foot.
They also had a decent shout for a penalty within four minutes of the restart when Phil Jones appeared to barge Seydouba Soumah off the ball.
The referee was having non of it and with no VAR in the Europa League technology was not coming to their rescue either.
Soumah was left holding his head in frustration again moments later when he found himself space in the box with a clever turn and shot only for Romero to make a fine save.
There would be more shouts for penalties, virtually every time the ball went in the United box.
The home side were particularly furious when Miletics header hit Brandon Williams on the arm just after a cross had also hit Scott McTominay on the elbow.
But the referee was standing strong in the face of a hostile home side and crowd. So were United.
