MANCHESTER UNITED have hammered Real Sociedad in the Europa League Round of 32 first leg.
A Bruno Fernandes double and goals from Marcus Rashford and Daniel James mean the Red Devils are all but through to the last 16.
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THAT’S ALL FROM ME
It’s time for the coverage of Man Utd’s thumping Round of 32 win over Real Sociedad to come to an end!
But the footy coverage here at SunSport doesn’t end here.
Arsenal are currently in action against Portuguese side Benfica in Rome, with Mikel Arteta’s men looking to reach to late stages of the competition.
Benfica vs Arsenal Live Blog
And Steven Gerrard’s Rangers kick off their Europa League knockout stage campaign against Royal Antwerp.
Antwerp vs Rangers Live Blog
Have a good one!
IRON BRU
WHERE would Manchester United be without Bruno Fernandes.
He was the goalscoring hero again with two in an impressive win over Real Sociedad.
He remains the talisman of this team, the reason there is still hope this season can end in glory.
There is no underestimating his effect on United since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon just over a year ago.
There are simply two parts to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign BF and AF – before Fernandes and after he arrived.
Read More: Real Sociedad 0-4 Man Utd Match Report
BRUNO SPEAKS
Two-goal hero Bruno Fernandes spoke to BT Sport after the game: “It’s about winning, we want to win the games.
“And today we did everything well, the result is on our side, but we have the second leg.
“And still have a tough game to do again in our home – win again to go through, because we know 4-0 is a good result.
“But we have to be aware of what Real Sociedad can do, and be ready for the second leg.”
MARVELLOUS MARCUS
Marcus Rashford has scored seven goals in European competition this season for Manchester United – excluding qualifiers, this is the most by an Englishman in a season for the Red Devils since Bobby Charlton scored eight in the 1964-65 Fairs Cup.
Only Erling Haaland (8) has scored more goals across the UEFA Champions League and Europa LEague this season than Marcus Rashford (7).
FULL-TIME STATS
Real Sociedad, much like in the first half, dominated the ball.
But it’s Man Utd who come away with four MASSIVE away goals, and one foot into the next round of the Europa League.
Oyarzabal often drifted over to the right-hand side, leaving Monreal as the only outlet down the left-hand side.
And in doing so, it often allowed James and Wan-Bissaka to double up on the left-back.
Since his debut for Manchester United on Feb 1st, 2020, Bruno Fernandes has scored 33 times in all competitions, with only four players within the top five European leagues finding the net more often over this period.
Robert Lewandowski (53) Cristiano Ronaldo (40) Romelu Lukaku (38) Erling Haaland (36) Bruno Fernandes (33).
Credit: Getty Images
FT: REAL SOCIEDAD 0-4 MAN UTD
What a second half of football! Man Utd added three more goals to Fernandes’ first half strike.
And it was Fernandes who got Man Utd’s second on the 57 minute mark.
The midfielder was picked out by James inside the penalty area and he made no mistake with the finish.
Rashford got in on the act seven minutes later after being picked out by Fred with a wonderful ball in behind Real Sociedad’s backline, finishing low past Remiro.
And James finished the game off with a wonderful finish through the keepers legs.
It’s a big win for Solskjaer’s Man Utd, they now have four away goals to fall back on in the second leg!
PEEEEEEEP!
THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE GOES IN TURIN!
MAN UTD CRUISE TO VICTORY!
REAL SOCIEDAD 0-4 MAN UTD
90+2. Portu is picked out running in behind of Maguire, but the linesman has his flag up for offside.
REAL SOCIEDAD 0-4 MAN UTD
90. The fourth official has added five minutes on.
REAL SOCIEDAD 0-4 MAN UTD
89. Bailly plays a first-time pass down the line for James to run onto.
And the Welsh international races away from Le Normand and into the penalty area, before finishing cooly through the keepers legs!
James finally has his goal after having one ruled out for offside earlier on! This tie is dead and buried!
GOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!!
JAMES ADDS A FOURTH FOR MAN UTD!!!
WHAT A GOAL!!!
REAL SOCIEDAD 0-3 MAN UTD
88. James knocks the ball through the legs of Monreal before going to ground.
But is soon wiped out by Le Normand, and the Sociedad defender is the second player to go into the referee’s book this evening.
REAL SOCIEDAD 0-3 MAN UTD
86. Another change for Real Sociedad, and Oyarzabal is making way for Bautista.
REAL SOCIEDAD 0-3 MAN UTD
85. Man Utd have one foot into the next round, and they have three away goals to fall back on in the second leg.
Credit: Getty Images
REAL SOCIEDAD 0-3 MAN UTD
83. Double change for Man Utd.
Amad Diallo, big money signing from Atalanta, is on for Fernandes.
And Juan Mata is on for Greenwood.
REAL SOCIEDAD 0-3 MAN UTD
81. CHANCE!
Wan-Bissaka back-heels the ball into the path of James on the edge of the penalty area.
James’ first touch finds Martial, who spins and plays the ball to wide to Greenwood.
The United youngster takes his marker on and moves the ball onto his right foot, but flashes his shot wide of the near post!
REAL SOCIEDAD 0-3 MAN UTD
80. SAVE!
Greenwood plays a lovely first-time pass into Fernandes on the halfway line.
Fernandes turns and drives Man Utd forward, before slipping the ball into the path of James.
James takes the ball into the penalty area and gets a shot off, but his effort is saved by Remiro!
REAL SOCIEDAD 0-3 MAN UTD
78. Sociedad are making a double change with Isak and Januzaj being replaced by Portu and Barrenetxea.
REAL SOCIEDAD 0-3 MAN UTD
77. Januzaj concedes a free-kick deep inside his own half after sweeping Martial off his feet.
Just over ten minutes left in the second half, and Sociedad will be making another change in the hope it will change their fortunes.
REAL SOCIEDAD 0-3 MAN UTD
76. Greenwood does well to hold off Zubeldia and win his side a free-kick in the opposition half.
United take it short and play the ball back to Maguire, who then lays the ball back to Henderson.
REAL SOCIEDAD 0-3 MAN UTD
74. Real Sociedad captain Illarramendi and right-back Zaldua make way for Guevara and Gorosabel.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Fernandes and Rashford scored two in seven minutes to put Man Utd firmly in control of the Europa League tie.
Credit: Getty Images
REAL SOCIEDAD 0-3 MAN UTD
71. Man Utd are starting to dominate the ball, and they have three away goals to sit on.
Solskjaer will be feeling rather confident that his side will progress into the final 16.
COUNTER-ATTACKING FOOTBALL
A lightening quick Man Utd counter attack ended with a Rashford goal! Well deserved!
REAL SOCIEDAD 0-3 MAN UTD
68. Rashford’s night comes to an end as he is replaced by Martial.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
