There was a star man, on the left hand side; he played for Man United, and his name was Januzaj. Good evening everyone and welcome to the game that everyone seems to be calling the Adnan Januzaj derby, fifty percent of which is based on the fleeting promise he showed for United in the immediate Wilderness Years after Ferguson’s departure. The remaining half is courtesy of Januzaj now doing his bit in the Basque Country, where Sociedad currently sit fifth in La Liga after a heady period prior to Christmas where they topped the table. With United currently second in the Premier League, this makes for the tastiest square go in the Europa League round of 32. We’re relocated to Turin for this evening’s fun and games, and we’ll be away at five to six.
Europa League / 1/16 Final
Juventus Stadium / 18.02.2021
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- B. Fernandes(28', 58')
- M. Rashford(66')
- D. James(90')
Live
Live Updates
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Updated 18/02/2021 at 19:47 GMT
57'
GOAL! Real Sociedad 0 Manchester United 2 (Fernandes 57)
It's two! United work a lovely move, with Fernandes stepping over a pass from Rashford and then taking the return ball from James, hitting it first time and slightly into the ground to tuck it into the far corner. It's initially disallowed for offside, but after a VAR review it's correctly given. Shades of Cole and Yorke there from Fernandes and James.
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Goal
B. Fernandes
Manchester United
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55'
A quick free kick from United gets Rashford one-on-one with Zaldua on the left. Rashford ghosts by him, and two more, before laying the ball of to Bailly who shoots well over.
53'
Sociedad work Monreal into a crossing position on the left. He finds David Silva, all alone on the penalty spot. Silva miscues the volley though, and Henderson punches clear.
51'
An audacious volleyed pass across the pitch from Fernandes finds James, who is bundled to the floor by Monreal. Free kick in a useful position for United.
49'
Oyarazabal whips a dangerous low cross into the six-yard box, and a superb sliding clearance from Maguire prevents the ball from reaching Isak.
47'
United clear a cross from Monreal, and from 30 yards out Le Normand wellies the bouncing ball at goal. It's a lovely, clean hit but it's straight at Henderson.
2ND HALF
We're underway again.
HT
That's the end of a thoroughly entertaining first half.
44'
Monreal miscontrols the ball and James nicks it to get away down the right. As he does so, Monreal pulls him down; again, surprisingly, no yellow card.
43'
Bailly catches Olarzabal late, and is very lucky not to go in the book.
41'
Sociedad are coming more into this as the half draws to the end, but without any real threat to Henderson as yet.
38'
Isak gets in behind United on the left, and his cross is wildly hacked behind by Greenwood for a corner. From it - eventually - Maguire makes a good block on a shot by Zubeldia.
37'
More possession for United, who look comfortable right now.
33'
Merino dances across the face of United's area and feeds Januzaj on the left, but the cross is hopelessly blootered out for a goal kick.
31'
McTominay has started well here and wins a free kick for United on the left. Fernandes aims for Maguire at the back stick, where Illarramendi gets up first to concede a corner.
29'
Sociedad have been an absolute mess at the back so far, United are getting in with one simple, direct ball over and over.
27'
GOAL! Real Sociedad 0 Manchester United 1 (Fernandes 27)
It's been coming! Fernandes gets his 20th of the season. From wide on the left Rashford clips a ball into the area for the onrushing Fernandes. He's in, and Remiro clears the path by jumping past the bouncing ball and into two of his defenders, leaving Fernandes the simple task of side-footing United in front from eight yards out.
Goal
B. Fernandes
Manchester United
24'
Fernandes whips a cross to the back post. It clears everyone and Rashford, who isn't expecting it, fails to control the ball. Had he done so, he had a clear look. At the other rend Isak tries to go through the middle of Bailly and Maguire and looks like he might make it, until Maguire gets a toe on the ball to divert it back to Henderson.
22'
Fred catches Oyarzabal late. He's a bit lucky to get away with just a free kick against him.
19'
WHAT A CHANCE! One long ball from Telles releases Fernandes on the left of the Sociedad area. He squares it to Rashford, who shoots from 12 yards out and once again Remiro saves well with his feet. Fernandes heads the rebound at goal but it's cleared off the line, and Sociedad escape!
16'
CHANCE! McTominay bursts into the right of the Sociedad area after a lovely inside pass from Fernandes. From a wide angle he shoots across Remiro, who saves well with his feet.