A superb night’s work for Manchester United on Thursay saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men make short work of Real Sociedad, to place one foot in the last-16 of the Europa League.
Reds run riot
The Red Devils got their European campaign back underway a short time ago, in a meeting with La Liga outfit Sociedad.
United headed into the clash, which was moved to the Allianz Stadium in Turin amid Covid-19 concerns, as favourites, albeit just, with Solskjaer and co. of course enjoying a solid domestic campaign to date.
Few, however, could have predicted just how one-sided Thursday’s action would go on to prove.
The ‘visitors’ dominated Sociedad in every feasible manner, en route to en eventual 4-0 final scoreline.
Bruno Fernandes proved the star of the show, bagging United’s first two goals, the first of which came just before the half-hour mark:
It’s him again!
Bruno Fernandes bags his 20th goal of the season 🔥
A lovely ball over the top from Marcus Rashford caused all sorts of problems at the back for Sociedad… pic.twitter.com/JdwvoOhJUA
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 18, 2021
Marcus Rashford, who teed up the Reds’ opener, then turned goalscorer 20 minutes into the 2nd-half, slotting home with confidence after being set free by Fred:
A brilliant Manchester United counter-attacking goal 👏
Fred with a magical ball through for Marcus Rashford who makes the finish look easy!#UEL pic.twitter.com/cFHu8jfFUq
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 18, 2021
And there was even time for Dan James to get in on the act late on, as the Welsh wide-man added some gloss to the scoreline with a fine right-footed effort in injury-time.
Manchester United can of course now turn their attentions back to matters on the domestic front, in the knowledge that they have all but secured the club’s spot in the last-16 of the Europa League.
The Bruno show
Following such a dominant performance on the part of Solskjaer’s men, it has since come as little surprise to see a whole host of players singled out for praise on the back of the full-time whistle at the Allianz Stadium.
The likes of Harry Maguire and Fred were both superb throughout proceedings, with the former having looked buoyed by the presence of Eric Bailly, rather than Victor Lindelof, alongside him.
None, though, stood out to such a degree as Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese international continues to step up and deliver for United on an almost weekly basis, with some of the stats surrounding his eye-watering production, on the back of the midfielder’s latest double, showcased below:
Bruno Fernandes now has 51 goal involvements since making his Man United debut.
Only Lionel Messi (53) and Robert Lewandowski (67) have more in that time.
World class 👏 pic.twitter.com/FeECFykjfz
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 18, 2021
52 – Bruno Fernandes has been directly involved in 52 goals in 58 games in all competitions for Manchester United (33 goals, 19 assists), 10 more than any other Premier League player since his debut in February 2020. Catalyst.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 18, 2021
Bruno Fernandes has been directly involved in 32 goals in all competitions this season:
👕 36 games
⚽️ 21 goals
🅰️ 11 assistsRidiculous. 👏 #UEL pic.twitter.com/v6zDmgEr81
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 18, 2021
One more noteworthy takeaway from a fine night all-round from a United perspective on Thursday, meanwhile, was the introduction of Amad Diallo.
Ivorian starlet Diallo of course arrived in Manchester last month, on the back of a summer transfer from Serie A outfit Atalanta.
And tonight, fans of his new club were handed the first glimpse of the teenage talent in senior action, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer introduced Diallo with a little under ten minutes remaining, in place of Mason Greenwood:
Amad Diallo makes his Manchester United debut 🇨🇮 pic.twitter.com/O8iYg1OQSS
— utdreport (@utdreport) February 18, 2021
Amad Diallo completed three take-ons for Man Utd against Real Sociedad, more than any other player in the second half.
He only came on in the 82nd minute. pic.twitter.com/UNfWjnNy6g
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 18, 2021
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