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
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.
15'
Sociedad win another corner, which is fired on low and pinballs around near the six-yard box before Maguire hacks it away.
13'
Rashford breaks forward again for United in the inside right channel. He feeds Greenwood to his left, whose dangerous cross is headed clear by Monreal.
12'
Sociedad catch United high up the pitch and almost get through with one ball, but (I think) McTominay hurls out a stray leg to intercept the ball. This is really open, and doesn't seem like it will be goalless for long.
8'
Wan-Bissaka catches Monreal with a late challenge, and goes in the book.
7'
Rashford piles forward down the left for United before cutting into the penalty area. He just overruns it slightly though, allowing Sociedad to clear.
3'
CHANCE! Isak goes through now for Sociedad after another Bailly mistake, and from a wide angle Henderson turns the ball out for a corner at his near post. What a bizarre start!
2'
CLOSE! Bailly coughs the ball up and Isak finds Januzaj on the right of the United area. He stands up Maguire and curls a shot inches wide of the far post. Then, from Henderson's long kick, Rashford gets clean through one-on-one with Remiro and the goalkeeper saves with his feet. Crikey!
KICK-OFF
Peep! We're underway in Turin.
17:50
We're almost ready to go in Turin. Your referee for tonight’s brouhaha is Sandro Scharer.
17:45
These two have met in European competition before, back in 2013-14 in the Champions League group stages. United won 1-0 at Old Trafford, followed by a 0-0 draw back in San Sebastian.
17:40
It might be viewed as reduced circumstances, but United have formed quite a relationship with the Europa League in recent years. In 2017 they won the competition for the first time, becoming the only English club to win the full set of international club trophies and more importantly lift a city still in shock from the Manchester Arena bombing two days earlier. Then, just seven months ago, they went to the brink of the final before losing in the semis to Sevilla. Can they go one further this time to give this developing team its first trophy under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer?
17:35
Here's a little look at what Real Sociedad have been up to lately - a 1-0 win away to Getafe on Sunday, with Swedish forward Alexander Isak nodding in the winner.
17:31
With no Edinson Cavani tonight it looks like Marcus Rashford through the middle, with Dan James and Mason Greenwood either side of him. United ring the changes in defence too, with Alex Telles, Eric Bailly and Dean Henderson all coming into the side.
17:25
To date, Real Sociedad haven’t made much of a dent in the continental competitions. Their best effort was a run to the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1982-83, where they were eliminated by eventual winners Hamburg. Their current incarnation houses some more than handy players. Forward Mikel Oyarzabal is part of a Spain squad that are serious contenders for the European Championship, and in midfield is someone United will be more than familiar with: the 35-year old David Silva.
17:20
And your Manchester United:
17:15
Your de facto home team tonight, Real Sociedad: