Europa League

CAPTAIN Fantastic rescued Manchester United once again – scoring a hat-trick as the Red Devils overcame an early scare.Bruno Fernandes has hit goalscoring form in recent weeks and has dragged his side to points and crucial victories.Captain Fantastic Fernandes scored a hat-trickCredit: GettyDiogo Dalot added a fourth late onCredit: GettyJoshua Zirkzee had one of his best games in a United shirtCredit: APHe was the coolest man inside Old Trafford twice as he slotted home penalties either side of half-time to put his side in control against Real Sociedad.Then he raced through late on to smash the ball into the bottom corner – his second Man Utd hat-trick sealed the tie.United suffered an early scare as the Spaniards went in front with a penalty after five minutes, but they recovered brilliantly.From that point on it was all United and they were quickly back level after Rasmus Hojlund was felled in the box.The striker once again struggled in front of goal but for once it did not cost his team, who threatened throughout.Joshua Zirkzee was the best of the bunch and his trickery teed up Hojlund for a certain goal – only for him to fluff his lines from five yards.Patrick Dorgu also got forward well and forced a red card for defender Jon Aramburu, who dragged him down as last man.The left-back won his side a penalty and would have earned a second if he had not told the ref to overturn his decision.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHere is how SunSport’s Ken Lawrence rated the Red Devils display…ANDRE ONANA – 6No doubt one of those £1.3bn part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe “inherited” and declared as “overpaid”.In other words the goalkeeper bought for £43.8m from Inter Milan under ex-boss Erik ten Hag and on at least £175,000 a week will almost certainly feel his Old Trafford days are numbered if Ratcliffe has his way.But the goalkeeper had no chance with Mikel Oyarzabal’s early VAR penalty and this was one of his calmer, more steadfast performances, although not over-worked.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6United don’t usually do bargain buys but the wing-back forced into the back three due to lack of available numbers has proved himself to be exactly that at £12.7m from Bayern Munich.Last summer’s arrival, as ever, hardly looked like Mr. Personality but he was solid and reliable, as ever, even if he wasn’t playing in the position he was bought to fill.His steadying influence was most notable amidst a Sociedad maelstrom as the Basque side complained bitterly over the award of United’s first penalty as he pushed the mob away.MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 7The Dutchman has had his doubters since his arrival from Bayern Munich at the start of the season and it’s taken him time to settle in.But settle in he has and in the first half, playing in the middle or Rubin Amorim’s makeshift back three, was a real leader and especially dominant in the air and was victim of a ridiculous penalty decision.He’s not the quickest but he is very good at holding a line – as he showed in the first half when Sociedad were throwing everything at the United box – the 25-year-old’s on the way to becoming a fan favourite.AYDEN HEAVEN – 7The 18-year-old’s only senior action for Arsenal before being persuaded to head north was the last ten minutes of a 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Preston in October.Yet here he was as injured Leny Yoro’s deputy making his European debut and the centre-back did himself proud.One challenge on the incoming Takefusa Kubo thirty yards out mid-way through the first half was exceptional and spoke volumes for his potential as a top centre-half.DIOGO DALOT – 5 Portuguese played in his favourite right wing-back position and you can never say he doesn’t give it everything.It just that what he does give can be a bit predictable and that showed even as United recovered from their early fright and began scaring the Spaniards witless.Dependable enough, committed enough and at the moment almost certainly a must–pick given United’s injury problems at the back – but one with questions marks over his long–term future, although he did bag United’s late fourth.CASEMIRO – 7He may be ageing before our very eyes even if he is only 33 but even if the legs are going the football brain is still very sharp.Maybe he does have old legs but that old brain of his was crucial before the break when Sociedad were moving forward in numbers and in confidence.Produced a fine 19th-minute right footer that only just skipped wide before producing a brilliant display of ball skills near the end of the first half, a juggling act that got his team out of deep trouble.BRUNO FERNANDES – 9Brilliant free kick from that so–called dodgy 11.2 yards for the equaliser in Sunday’s 1 – 1 draw with Arsenal and just carried on in style again.Cool spot kick equaliser in the 16th minute and ditto for the spot kick that sent United ahead five minutes after the break.Sometimes tried the impossible – one shot from almost 40 yards out surprised only someone in the Stretford End but he’s become a true Red leader and capped off his performance with a stunning hat–trick clincher.PATRICK DORGU – 7 Beginning to show why Ruben Amorim was so keen on him and that £25.15m outlay to Lecce is beginning to pay off.He was slow to release the ball and got caught in possession at the start of the build-up that ended in the penalty for Sociedad.But he started gaining plenty of momentum from that early moment on and produced a proper wing-back performance, forging repeatedly up the left flank and twice almost finding the net.Patrick Dorgu was a key threatCredit: GettyJOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 7 Got last week’s opener in the 1-1 first-leg clash in San Sebastian although it was still only his sixth since arriving in summer.Another who Ratcliffe will believe isn’t giving value for money and nobody could blame him for that given his goal ratio.But there’s definitely a player in there, just not a striker for some of his running and passing was excellent – he got a rousing reception when he was replaced near the end from fans who are really backing him.RASMUS HOJLUND – 4That’s now 21 games and no goals – the equivalent of over THIRTY HOURS without the £72m striker hitting the net.Seeing the young Dane going through continuing agony in front of goal is a tough watch because, no question, he’s giving his all but his confidence is completely shredded.Was brought down for Fernandes to score the second of his two penalties but he was only eight yards out and was so slow in reacting to his captain’s pass that Igor Zubeldia bundled into him from behind.Rasmus Hojlund fluffed his lines againCredit: EPAALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6 Good early strike cutting in from the right but the Argentinian can be a really greedy kid.Could easily have laid the ball back for the waiting Fernandes when the chips were down in the first half but went for the Hollywood strike himself and smashed the ball into a forest of Basque legs.But he is learning to work harder for the team defensively at least – producing one tremendous pressing block near a Sociedad corner flag that brought a punch of delight from him and a roar of approval from the home fans.SUBSTOBY COLLYER (for Casemiro 78) – 5Ran around energetically as usual and made some nice passes.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN ( for Zirkzee 87) – 5One tame effort from outside the box that did not trouble the keeper. 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WILSON ODOBERT went from Mr Forgettable to the centre of attention by rescuing Ange Postecoglou in his hour of need.The Frenchman, 20, has hardly played since joining from Burnley in August for £25million due to a serious hamstring injury.Wilson Odobert celebrates his crucial second goalCredit: EPAOdobert slid home the final strike on 74 minutesCredit: AlamyJames Maddison lashed Tottenham’s second goalCredit: APBut he stepped up when it mattered most here as his first goals for the club helped Spurs to a second-leg comeback against AZ and into the Europa League last eight.Odobert netted either side of a James Maddison strike, which he also had a hand in, and a Peer Koopmeiners’ effort which gave AZ some short-lived hope.It was vindication for boss Postecoglou for starting the youngster despite his lack of game-time.And a decision that may well have helped save his job.Most read in FootballMake no mistake, the heat could have cranked up to intolerable levels on the Aussie if he had lost this game.It would have effectively ended their season, given they are out of both domestic cups and down to 13th in the league.But victory last night keeps their Europa League dream alive and the possibility that this difficult second season can still have a glorious finale under the ex-Celtic chief.Postecoglou’s side had stunk the place out in the first leg at the home of the Cheese Farmers.Most read in Europa LeagueBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThat is the delightful nickname for AZ Alkmaar on account of the town’s association with the much-loved sandwich filler.Tottenham were lucky to lose only 1-0 and were it not for a couple of top stops from goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, they would have been toast at the halfway stage of this tie.Heartwarming reason Tottenham stars all wore odd socks in training ahead of Europa League tie with AZ Alkmaar Postecoglou was boosted by his first-choice centre-back pairing being able to start for the first time in three months.Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven had not lined up alongside each other since they both got injured at home to Chelsea on December 8.Romero made his comeback in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth and looked rusty as an old nail, misplacing passes left, right and centre.But here he looked far more focused from the off and looked to spark attacks from deep whenever he could.The Argentine World Cup winner also added that fire that has been sorely lacking from the Spurs in recent months, snapping into tackles and giving former team-mate Troy Parrott a rollicking when he felt the Irishman was feigning injury.Vicario, Postecoglou and Son had urged the Spurs fans to generate a buzzing atmosphere ahead of the game to give the team every advantage of turning it round.And in fairness, the crowd duly obliged by bringing the noise.Spurs looked far sharper than in the Netherlands – admittedly, a low bar to overcome – and their pressing game was on point.In fact it was from some tireless closing down by captain Son Heung-min that the hosts took the lead.The South Korean’s industry paid off as Wouter Goes’ poor pass deflected off the Spurs skipper into Dominic Solanke’s path.Odobert rifled the opener in the 26th minuteCredit: GettyAZ ace Peer Koopmeiners briefly levelled the tie on aggregateCredit: GettySolanke then squared for Odobert, who blasted in his first strike since the opening day of the season for Burnley against Luton in the Championship – four days before he joined Spurs.Postecoglou often criticises his side for being “too passive” after bad displays but they were aggressive in everything they did here, with Romero and Van de Ven setting the tone.But Spurs have always looked capable of shooting themselves in the foot during Postecoglou’s reign – and long before that, in truth – so you always feared a mistake.Pedro Porro provided one just before half-time with a weak pass straight to the opposition which led to the excellently-named Zico Buurmeester firing a warning shot wide.Then shortly after half-time, Vicario had fans having kittens as he messed around with the ball at his feet and almost lost it to Parrott right in front of his goal.Yet seconds later, Spurs were 2-0 up.Porro won the ball and played it to Odobert, who shipped it on to Maddison.The England man, desperate for a recall to the national squad today (FRI), exchanged a clever one-two with Son before firing home his 11th goal of the season.Spurs looked relatively comfortable at that point – but then, just after the hour, disaster struck.Odobert had raced back to intercept but then saw Bergvall’s careless pass ricochet off him into the path of Koopmeiners, who provided the most clinical of finishes.Eleven minutes later though, the former PSG academy man more than made up for it by finishing off a breathtaking team goal at the far post.Maddison began the move with a clever turn which led to Spence cutting the ball across the box, Solanke backheeling it on and Odobert sticking it in at the far post.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt was Ange Ball at its finest – which could not have come at a better time for Postecoglou.The goal reminded everyone what his team is capable of when they are purring, and just why this season can still be a success. 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IT’S safe to assume Jim Ratcliffe was not talking about Bruno Fernandes when he groaned about certain Manchester United players being ‘overpaid and not good enough’.In fact amid all the job cuts and costs being slashed at Old Trafford, they might have to find a way to give the skipper a pay rise.Bruno Fernandes scored twice from the penalty spot to send his side throughCredit: APThe United skipper kept his cool before slotting homeCredit: APReal Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring in the fifth minuteCredit: PARasmus Hojlund faltered in front of goal once againCredit: EPATime and time again it is the Portuguese talisman who comes to their rescue. Where would the Red Devils be without him?With their season on a knife edge after an early penalty put Real Sociedad in command, Fernandes was the coolest man on the park – not once, but twice.He scored two spot-kicks of his own – one in each half – to edge Ruben Amorim’s men into the quarter-finals against their 10-man opponents.Then he claimed the match ball by latching onto Alejandro Garnacho’s pass to smash his effort into the corner.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThanks to him a chaotic campaign is still alive – and could still result in an unlikely spot in the Champions League in September.Just five games now separate United from Europa League glory and a ticket back to the top table – if Fernandes carries on playing like this, you never know.The riches that come with that would be a big boost to the Old Trafford coffers – and Amorim’s transfer kitty.Ratcliffe has had plenty to say this week – talking about the situation they walked into last year at United and also some of the players they ‘inherited’.Most read in Europa LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSYet three of those he name-checked in his wide-ranging interview – Andre Onana, Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund – were all picked to start in a game that was pivotal to their season.As Amorim said pre-match, all of them had the chance to prove themselves to the billionaire Ineos magnate.Wayne Rooney launches brutal attack on Man Utd flops and names only two he’d keep United wasted the chance to all but seal a quarter-final spot in the first leg in San Sebastian last week as they tired and allowed the Spanish side back into it.And the visitors started here like they were determined to make the most of that reprieve.Matthijs De Ligt looked to have just beaten Mikel Oyarzabal to a cross from Artiz Elustondo – and in any case the offside flag went up.But there were a few appeals for a penalty among the travelling fans and the VAR told ref Benoit Bastien to have a look at his monitor.That showed the Euro 2024 winner had drawn a foul from the United defender.Man Utd player ratingsCAPTAIN Fantastic rescued Manchester United once again – scoring a hat-trick as the Red Devils overcame an early scare to beat Real Sociedad and advance in the Europa League.He was the coolest man inside Old Trafford twice as he slotted home penalties either side of half-time to put his side in control against the Spaniards.Joshua Zirkzee was another who impressed as Manchester United secured a tie against Lyon in the quarter-finals.But it wasn’t all positive.Rasmus Hojlund drew a blank yet again. That’s now 21 games and no goals – the equivalent of over THIRTY HOURS without the £72m striker hitting the net.Check out our full Man Utd player ratings.Just as he did last week, the Spanish forward scored emphatically from the spot – sending Onana the wrong way.Only 10 minutes gone and United were behind to a team currently 11th in the Spanish league.Given United’s dismal record here this season, heads could easily have gone down but spurred on by the skipper, they hit back.Fernandes rolled a cross into the area and Hojlund looked certain to score until he was shoved in the back by Igor Zubeldia.It was a clear penalty and the Sociedad captain was perhaps a little bit fortunate to escape with only a yellow card.Despite the pressure, Fernandes confidently stroked home his 13th goal of the season beating Alex Remiro from the spot.He wasn’t finished there though – turning provider with a pin-point corner which Patrick Dorgu volleyed onto the top of the net.The Portuguese then played a sweeping pass into the path of the Danish new boy who probably had more time and space than he realised – firing straight at Remiro.Another chance went begging as Joshua Zirkzee sent a low cross into the area that was backheeled by Hojlund but drifted just wide of the post.The £72million forward has not scored in his last 20 appearances before this but was contributing plenty to an improved United display.United probably felt they should have been ahead at the break – but within five minutes of the restart, they were.Artiz Elustondo body checked Dorgu as the January signing tried to get past him and it was enough for the French ref to point to the spot.The Sociedad defender pleaded his innocence and to be fair it was hard to see how he could have got out of the way – but there was not enough evidence to overturn it.And once again Fernandes was the coolest man in the stadium as he slotted home from 12 yards once more.United were now on the front foot and the visitors made their task even more difficult when they went down to 10 men just after the hour.Jon Aramburu had only been on the pitch seven minutes – sent on as the bench were worried Zubeldia could earn a second yellow card.But he chopped down Dorgu as he looked to race clear on goal and was adjudged to be the last man – even though the Dane had a long way still to run.Zirkzee nodded a good chance wide and there were still some nerves with United holding such a slender advantage.But all those were blown away as Garnacho was unselfish for once – slipping a clever pass through to Fernandes who fired a low shot past Remiro.READ MORE SUN STORIESThere was still time for another in stoppage time as Hojlund pulled a cross back for Fernandes’ countryman Diogo Dalot to lash home.That completed a great night for Amorim and his Portuguese men of four. 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AN AJAX star was left with blood pouring down his face before returning to the pitch in a SWIMMING CAP.Defender Daniele Rugani, 30, lined up for their Dutch giants in their Europa League last-16 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.Daniele Rugani put on a swimming cap after taking a knock to the headCredit: RexThe Ajax star was left with blood running down his face after a fierce collisionCredit: RexRugani proved his dedication by playing on with the swimming cap stopping the bleedingCredit: RexAjax lost the first leg at home 2-1 and were desperate to make amends in Germany.But they losing 6-2 on aggregate as travelling fans suffered a miserable evening.However, Rugani gave them something to be proud about with a brave piece of play.The Italian is on loan at Ajax from Juventus.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd he showed his dedication to the cause by taking a big knock to the head while organising the defence.The five-time Serie A winner was left with blood pouring down onto his face.But Rugani refused to be taken off in Ajax’s time of need.Moving to the sideline, the centre-back left fans stunned as he chucked on a swimming cap.Most read in Europa LeagueCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsThe headpiece slotted perfectly onto his scalp and immediately stopped any blood pouring from his cut.Rugani was able to stay on the pitch but his presence proved to be futile.Furious Jordan Henderson pulled apart from Ajax team-mate in Europa League clashAjax did manage to pull a goal back in the 78th minute to make it 3-1 on the night.But Mario Gotze netted moments later for his second goal of the game.It saw Frankfurt win the match 4-1 on the night and 6-2 on aggregate.And they will now face either Tottenham or AZ Alkmaar in the quarters, with Spurs chasing a 1-0 deficit from the first leg. More

JOSE MOURINHO has launched a cutting barb at Allan Saint-Maximin as he branded the ex-Newcastle star lazy and overweight.France winger Saint-Maximin has been on loan to Mourinho’s Turkish club Fenerbahce this season from Saudis Al Ahli.Allan Saint-Maximin hit out at Jose Mourinho but the Special One produced a brutal comebackCredit: GettyMourinho had a dig at the ex-Newcastle star’s weightCredit: GettyThe Special One left the 28-year-old out of his squad for Thursday’s Europa League trip to Rangers.That prompted Saint-Maximin to poetically suggest Mourinho has been dishonest about him, but that the truth will emerge in due course.He wrote on social media: “When a lie takes the elevator, the truth takes the stairs.”It takes longer, but it arrives in the end.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSFormer Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss Mourinho hit back when quizzed about his player’s comments.He told TRT Spor: “I didn’t know Saint-Maximin had a gift for poetry. I’m not bad at it either.”When a footballer works well, works hard and trains every day, he can be in good form and climb up the stairs. He doesn’t need to use the lift.”By contrast, if a player doesn’t train well, turns up late, is overweight and isn’t ready to play a match, then he needs to use the lift – as he’ll soon get tired on the stairs.”Most read in Europa LeagueCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsSaint-Maximin, who spent four seasons with Newcastle, responded on Instagram – claiming his weight has remained the same since 2022.The Paris-born ace also resorted to poetic language once more to declare: “Lies give you flowers – but they don’t bear fruit.”Inside Newcastle’s £3BILLION new stadium plans with St James’ Park project to rival Old TraffordFormer Toon favourite Saint-Maximin made 124 Magpies appearances, scoring 13 goals, before leaving for Al Ahli in a £23million deal two summers ago.Mourinho, 62, took charge of Fenerbahce last June.The Istanbul side lost their first-leg Europa League tie 3-1 at home to Rangers last week More