VIDEOS: Sergio Romero's heroics not enough to prevent United loss at Midtjylland

Sergio Romero was called into the starting XI late on Thursday due to a warmup injury to David De Gea, and single-handedly kept a hapless Manchester United's Europa League hopes alive with a string of fine saves.

The Red Devils fell 2-1 at FC Midtjylland - conquerors of Southampton in the Europa League qualification rounds back in August - but it could have been much worse were it not for the masterclass between the sticks from the Argentinian, and the inability of the Danish outfit to convert more of its chances.

Memphis Depay opened the scoring with a precious away goal for United, before Pione Sisto and Paul Onuachu handed their side a slender advantage going into the second leg at Old Trafford on Feb. 25.

Louis van Gaal's hopes of Europa League glory almost took a severe blow as early as 11 minutes in, but Romero showed his reflexes were still intact despite returning to action for the first time since October:

Midtjylland made dangerous forays forward through the meandering movement of Sisto and high front-line deployed by manager Jess Thorup, but Depay gave United the advantage after he adjusted well from a slip:

Sisto and his side's hard work were rewarded before the close of the half, however, when the lively Ugandan-born Denmark international capitalised on some loose possession from the visitor in the middle of the park:

Romero took advantage of another opportunity for acrobatics with the score level in the second half, springing to his left to deny an almost immediate impact from substitute Onuachu:

Onuachu wasn't to be thwarted for much longer, though, striking beyond Romero on 77 minutes:

United should be thankful for the result, as it could have succumbed to an embarrassingly heavy defeat given Midtjylland's superiority, but Van Gaal's biggest gripe will be the falling of a 14th player to injury in his superb shot stopper De Gea.

A starting lineup comprising of his best in the treatment room looks like a team capable of swamping to the continental competition's prize, even with it being admittedly winger-heavy:

Injured XI: De Gea; Darmian, Jones, Rojo, Shaw; Fellaini, Schweinsteiger; Valencia, Young, Januzaj; Rooney

For now, the Stretford club will strive to claw back a one-goal deficit on home soil next week.