Manchester United were incredibly impressive as the Red Devils produced one of the best performances of Ruben Amorim’s tenure to reach the Europa League quarter-final
Ruben Amorim saw his Manchester United team produce one of the best performances of his tenure as they beat Real Sociedad 4-1 to book their quarter-final place with a 5-2 aggregate victory.
Manchester United welcomed the La Liga side to a far from fortress-like Old Trafford after a 1-1 draw in San Sebastian last week. United failed to make their first-half chances count as Joshua Zirkzee finally opened the scoring shortly before the hour mark.
However, Mikel Oyarzabal levelled from the spot as the tide of the game turned, and United were relieved in the end to leave Anoeta not trailing.
But the momentum of the tie hadn’t shifted, with Sociedad starting off the more positive side and taking the lead via Oyarzabal from the spot again after VAR intervened on a foul from Matthijs de Ligt on the Sociedad captain.
United needed a response, and they got one almost immediately as Bruno Fernandes equalised from the spot just six minutes later after Rasmus Hojlund had been caught attempting to tap home from six yards out. The Red Devils had chances to go ahead in the first-half but were unable to take advantage of being the better team.
But it didn’t take long for them to get their chance in the second-half when Patrick Dorgu was fouled in the box. United’s main man Fernandes stepped up from 12-yards again and the same outcome ensued.
United continued to boss proceedings and were given more control after Jon Aramburu was shown a straight red card for denying Dorgu a goalscoring opportunity.
The Red Devils were awarded another penalty after Dorgu was brought down again, but the 20-year-old appeared to tell the referee he had made the wrong decision, and the spot kick was overturned.
But United did finally get the all important fourth goal of the night as Fernandes wrapped up his hat-trick to secure United’s qualification with just minutes of normal time remaining. Diogo Dalot then added a fourth to put the cherry on the cake of an exceptional night.
Here, the Daily Star Sport looks at what Amorim got right in one of the best nights of his short tenure.
Promising performance
The first-half of the game was one of the best performances that United have had under Amorim. It’s not saying much, but it proved to be another positive after going toe-to-toe with Arsenal at the weekend, where they would have felt they could’ve won given their chances.
United had the joint most shots in the first-half under Amorim after they responded positively to deservedly going behind early on, following a slow first 10 minutes, which they recovered from.
After Fernandes put the hosts in front, United continued to control the game and created chances that could have put them out of sight. They eventually wrapped up victory with Fernandes and Dalot’s late goals. An incredibly important night that could prove to be a spark in Amorim’s reign.
Hojlund and Zirkzee
The passing weeks make it clearer and clearer to see just who United should be looking to to create chances up front. While neither have been prolific in any sense of the word, Zirkzee continues to show signs of harbouring some talent.
Zirkzee played off the shoulder of Hojlund and was heavily involved with the build-up play, linking the frontline with the midfield. But the most glaring example of his quality came as he set Hojlund up shortly before the half hour mark.
The Dutchman’s dancing feet beat two Sociedad players inside the box before he drilled a pass across the face of goal to Hojlund. But the Dane was unable to sort his feet out and guided the ball wide of the far post.
Despite his miss, Hojlund will count himself unlucky to have not scored. The 22-year-old had the beating of Sociedad’s centre-backs and could have had the ball put on a plate for him numerous times had his team-mates found a better final ball to him.
Ayden Heaven’s first start
Heaven arrived from Arsenal in the summer, with United insisting the 18-year-old had been signed for the first-team despite playing just one senior game for the Gunners. And that has proved to be the case, albeit significantly to do with injuries to Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro in the backline.
The teenager started in a makeshift back three, which including Noussair Mazraoui playing on the right-side, with Victor Lindelof on the bench. Heaven was impressive against his former club after coming on at half-time of the 1-1 draw on Sunday, but he endured a much tougher start against the tricky Takefusa Kubo.
But Heaven again settled and was confident defensively again. Despite being loose in possession on occasions, it was again another promising display from the youngster who is looking to prove to be a complete steal at the £1.5million United paid for him.
Fernandes silences Keane
Since Roy Keane launched his unwarranted tirade on United’s captain, Fernandes has six goals and one assist in his last six games, including his two match-winning penalties tonight.
Keane previously ranted on The Overlap: “I see fans at matches and they’re singing for Bruno. I see these boys and I think you’re f****** imposters!” Adding: “They all can’t put the ball in the top of the net from 25 yards, I get that, but you want someone who’s going ‘Lads, are you with me? Are you with me?’”
Fernandes has certainly showed Keane that he can lead his United team-mates, and has been the catalyst of everything good that has come out of the team of late.
United were good tonight, but without Bruno, they’d be in a whole heap of trouble.