Real Sociedad 0-4 Manchester United: Bruno Fernandes scores double in emphatic win

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says his Manchester United side are out to correct last season's Europa League mistakes after they took a huge stride towards the last 16 by thrashing Real Sociedad 4-0 in Turin.

Bruno Fernandes was once again in inspirational form, scoring twice as Solskjaer's side dominated a poor Sociedad.

"We got nothing out of getting to the semi-final last year," Solskjaer said.

"Sometimes you can say it isn't worth it but the experience has helped this team. We have to learn on the job.

"The only way to learn from your mistakes is to correct them. The semi-final defeat last season is in the back of our heads and hurts. We felt we should have gone all the way."

Fernandes took advantage of hesitant defending to open the scoring in Turin and then stroked in from the edge of the area for a second - which was awarded by VAR after he was initially flagged offside.

Marcus Rashford and Daniel James - who both missed several chances - then scored on the counter to leave next week's return leg looking a formality.

"We've been through a difficult spell and I thought we found ourselves a little bit tonight," Solskjaer said.

"I thought the boys had got that little bit of zip in their legs again."

Sociedad were top of La Liga when the draw was made but were abject throughout a game played in Italy because of Covid-19 restrictions.

They failed to test United goalkeeper Dean Henderson seriously and were constantly caught out on the break by the pace of Solskjaer's frontline.

Even Manchester City hero David Silva - who joined Sociedad last August - was kept quiet on an off night.

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Classic 'away' performance

The match was played at the home of Juventus as Spain has placed restrictions on travellers from the UK.

That decision could not have helped La Real who, apart from in a manic opening few minutes, were second best all night.

Former United winger Adnan Januzaj curled narrowly wide inside 70 seconds, and Eric Bailly was beaten easily moments later by Alexander Isak, who saw his effort tipped wide.

But Solskjaer's side soon took a grip and Rashford could have already scored twice before he played a part in the opener.

His pass over the top played Fernandes in and when defenders Igor Zubeldia and Robin le Normand collided with goalkeeper Alex Remiro, the Portuguese midfielder had a tap-in.

Fernandes' second was a sublime finish from the edge of the area, digging the ball out from under his feet after a touch on from James. The flag was raised but after a lengthy check, the goal was awarded.

Since his debut 12 months ago, Fernandes has scored 33 times in all competitions, with only four players within the top five European leagues finding the net more often.

The playmaker is in good company - as they are Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski (53), Juventus talisman Cristiano Ronaldo (40), another former United forward in Romelu Lukaku (38) and Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Braut Haaland (36).

By now, United were totally in control and Fred freed Rashford to drill in low from the left-hand side of the area.

James saw another ruled out for offside and was denied by a good save as a naive Sociedad defence were cut open time and time again.

And the former Swansea man did get his goal in added time, firing through the legs of Remiro to give Solskjaer's side a deserved cushion to take into next week's home leg.

Player of the match

Bruno FernandesBruno Fernandes

with an average of 8.01

• Real SociedadReal SociedadReal Sociedad
• Man UtdManchester UnitedManchester United

Real Sociedad

Avg

1. Squad number21Player nameSilva

   Average rating

   6.19
2. Squad number11Player nameJanuzaj

   Average rating

   5.76
3. Squad number19Player nameIsak

   Average rating

   5.40
4. Squad number10Player nameOyarzabal

   Average rating

   5.33
5. Squad number4Player nameIllarramendi

   Average rating

   5.25
6. Squad number20Player nameNacho Monreal

   Average rating

   5.23
7. Squad number8Player nameMerino

   Average rating

   5.21
8. Squad number1Player nameÁlex Remiro

   Average rating

   5.16
9. Squad number24Player nameLe Normand

   Average rating

   5.05
10. Squad number5Player nameZubeldia

    Average rating

    5.04
11. Squad number2Player nameZaldua

    Average rating

    5.02
12. Squad number7Player namePortu

    Average rating

    4.82
13. Squad number18Player nameGorosabel

    Average rating

    4.78
14. Squad number22Player nameBarrenetxea

    Average rating

    4.78
15. Squad number16Player nameGuevara

    Average rating

    4.76
16. Squad number25Player nameBautista

    Average rating

    4.75

Manchester United

Avg

1. Squad number18Player nameBruno Fernandes

   Average rating

   8.01
2. Squad number10Player nameRashford

   Average rating

   7.32
3. Squad number19Player nameDiallo

   Average rating

   7.32
4. Squad number26Player nameHenderson

   Average rating

   6.95
5. Squad number11Player nameGreenwood

   Average rating

   6.92
6. Squad number21Player nameJames

   Average rating

   6.92
7. Squad number8Player nameMata

   Average rating

   6.91
8. Squad number39Player nameMcTominay

   Average rating

   6.91
9. Squad number17Player nameFred

   Average rating

   6.73
10. Squad number29Player nameWan-Bissaka

    Average rating

    6.68
11. Squad number3Player nameBailly

    Average rating

    6.63
12. Squad number27Player nameAlex Telles

    Average rating

    6.57
13. Squad number31Player nameMatic

    Average rating

    6.42
14. Squad number9Player nameMartial

    Average rating

    6.29
15. Squad number5Player nameMaguire

    Average rating

    6.21

Real run continues - the stats

• Real Sociedad remain winless in five games against English opponents in European competition (D1 L4) - they have failed to score in each of the past four, with three of those coming against Manchester United.
• This was the biggest away victory by an English side against a Spanish opponent in the Uefa Cup/Europa League, surpassing Newcastle United's 3-0 win at Mallorca back in March 2004.
• Real Sociedad have only won one of their four home games in the Europa League this season (D1 L2), despite attempting 49 more shots than their opponents across these four games (77 shots for, 28 shots faced).
• Manchester United are unbeaten in their past nine away games across all competitions (W5 D4), while they have kept a clean sheet in four of their last six.

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