BRUNO’S THE DADDY
Call him Fernandes the phenomenal - United playmaker is their best hope of ending that 3-year trophy drought
MATCH FACTS
Real Sociedad remain winless in five games against English opponents in European competition (D1 L4) – they have failed to score in each of the last four, with three of those coming against United.
This was the biggest away
NO WONDER Manchester United are keen to tie Bruno Fernandes down to a new deal.
It does not bear thinking where United would be without Fernandes, whose two goals here underlined his importance to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
Fernandes is only a year into a four-and-a-half-year deal, but match-winning displays such as this show why a more lucrative contract will be put his way in the victory by an English side against a Spanish opponent in the UEFA Cup/Europa League, surpassing Newcastle United’s 3-0 win at Mallorca back in March 2004 (in the last 16).
Real Sociedad have only won one of their four home games in the UEFA Europa League this season (D1 L2),
coming months. United’s Portuguese playmaker was at his imperious best, terrorising Real Sociedad and killing the tie before next week’s return leg at Old Trafford.
Fernandes now has 52 goal contributions – 33 goals and 19 assists – in just 58 games for United, absolutely phenomenal stats for a phenomenal player, one who has single-handedly transformed the Reds.
United have gone three seasons without a trophy but, despite attempting 49 more shots than their opponents across these four games (77 shots for, 28 shots faced). Manchester United are unbeaten in their last nine away games across all competitions (W5 D4), while they have kept a clean sheet in four of their last six.
with Fernandes in such irresistible form, Solskjaer’s side have every chance of going all the way in the Europa League – and bagging a Champions League place next season in the process. Having stumbled in the Premier League, opening up the race for the top four, United need to keep all options open in terms of getting back to European football’s top table, which is where Fernandes deserves to be.
When the draw was made
in December, Sociedad were top of La Liga but they have since fallen to fifth, 17 points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.
Despite their recent struggles and the fact Sociedad had lost home advantage with the tie switched to Turin because of coronavirus travel restrictions, Solskjaer (left) expected a tough tie. But it was nothing of the sort.
United should have taken the lead in the 19th minute after breaking on the counter-attack, Alex Telles finding Fernandes, who squared the
ball to Marcus Rashford. Rashford seemed certain to score but was too casual with his effort, and the follow-up header from Fernandes was cleared off the Sociedad line.
The Red Devils did eventually take the lead in the
27th minute, Rashford atoning for his earlier misses with a clever ball over the top of the Sociedad defence.
Fernandes showed great awareness to take a step back as goalkeeper Alejandro Remiro and his two centrebacks collided, leaving the United playmaker free to steer the ball into the empty net.
United went into the break ahead but had to be alert to Sociedad’s threat, never more so than five minutes after the restart when skipper Harry Maguire made a crucial block with Alexander Isak ready to pull the trigger behind him.
But Solskjaer’s men made it 2-0 in the 57th minute. Rashford was again the provider and, when Fernandes cleverly let the ball run to Dan James, he somehow managed to despatch the return low into the far corner for his second of the night and 21st of the season.
Rashford made it 3-0 in the 64th minute after Fred put him through. His earlier sloppiness in front of goal was clearly forgotten as the England forward steered a calm finish beyond Remiro.
United should have been 4-0 up with 10 minutes to go. Fernandes – who else? – found James with another pinpoint pass but the winger’s low shot was blocked by Remiro, who prevented his side from losing by a humiliating margin.
But James was eventually rewarded for his determination, adding a fourth from a tight angle in the 90th minute to put the seal on an emphatic win for Solskjaer’s side.
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER claimed Manchester United have rediscovered their X-factor after thrashing Real Sociedad.
Bruno Fernandes scored twice, with Marcus Rashford and Daniel James also on the scoresheet, as United all but booked their place in the last 16 of the Europa League.
Having faltered in the Premier League in recent weeks, United were back to their best against the Spaniards, with boss Solskjaer hailing their star quality. “That little X-factor,