Manchester United booked their spot in the last 16 of the Europa League after an unacceptable 0-0 draw with Real Sociedad at Old Trafford on Thursday.
With their advancement to the following round after a pounding 4-0 first-leg win in Turin a week ago, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer picked to begin with Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw on the substitutes’ seat, while Dean Henderson supplanted David de Gea in front of the nets.
Mikel Oyarzabal ought to have exploited a lazy beginning from United, however, his initial punishment flew above and beyond, while Bruno Fernandes and Daniel James went close for the hosts before the break.
Substitute Axel Tuanzebe saw an exertion precluded during the second half, however, it made a difference minimal eventually as United booked their place in Friday’s last-16 draw at the base of quarrel.
La Real were given a brilliant chance to require a thirteenth-minute lead when James cumbersomely cut down Andoni Gorosabel in the risk zone, yet Oyarzabal burst the subsequent spot-kick over. Just a magnificent touch from Victor Lindelof forestalled Alexander Isak tapping home at the back post before long, while Anthony Martial was denied by Alex Remiro at the opposite end as United belatedly woke from their sleep.
Fernandes at that point whipped a fine exertion against the crossbar from 16 yards before Remiro pawed away James’ header in no time before half-time. Rashford supplanted Fernandes at the break and blazed a 30-yard free-kick past Remiro’s left-hand post before long, while Modibo Sagnan headed against the crossbar for the LaLiga side.
Tuanzebe thought he had scored his not long after the hour mark, yet his ground-breaking header was precluded for a foul by Lindelof following a pitchside survey by arbitrator Lawrence Visser.
Shola Shoretire turned into United’s most youthful ever player to take part in European rivalry at 17 years old years and 23 days when presented with 14 minutes staying as the Red Devils extended their unbeaten grand slam in the Europa League to 15 games.
What’s the significance here? Dull United stagger through:
While United’s spot in the following round was practically gotten by a week ago’s drubbing, that is no reason for their grim presentation in this subsequent.
This was the ideal chance for Martial and Mason Greenwood to rediscover their scoring contact and periphery players like James, Alex Telles, and Nemanja Matic to intrigue Solskjaer. Just, they fizzled.
Fernandes the lone splendid sparkle:
He played just one half of the match but interestingly he converted in more chances than any other United players with more shots on target. A perfect representation of why Solskjaer once in a while rests his star man.
La Real mourn Oyarzabal’s initial miss:
Things might have ended up being distinctive for the guests had Oyarzabal not lightened his lines from 12 yards.
2014 – Mikel Oyarzabal is the first visiting player to fail to score a penalty attempt at Old Trafford against Man Utd in any competition since Leighton Baines for Everton in October 2014 in the Premier League. Wayward. #UEL pic.twitter.com/d4YJ0NIKpL
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 25, 2021
His unpredictable spot-kick implied he turned into the principal visiting player to neglect to score a punishment against United in European rivalry at Old Trafford since Roma’s Daniele De Rossi in April 2008.
Key Opta Facts:
– Man United have advanced from every one of the five of their last-32 ties in the Europa League (additionally 2011-12, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2019-20).
– Sociedad have been disposed of from both of their last-32 ties in the Europa League, additionally leaving the opposition at this stage back in 2017-18 versus Salzburg.
– The LaLiga side are presently winless in their four matches with United across all rivalries (D2 L2), neglecting to score in each conflict.
– Fernandes has hit the woodwork a larger number of times taking all things together rivalries than some other Premier League player since the beginning of February 2020 (11).
What’s next?
Manchester United travel to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday, while La Real interpretation of champions Real Madrid in LaLiga a day later.
