SM
Sports Mole words bigger AMP 2
Man City vs. Salford: 2 hrs 17 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
RS
Real Sociedad logo
Europa League | Round of 32
Feb 18, 2021 at 5.55pm UK
Estadio Anoeta
MU
Manchester United logo

Real Sociedad
0 - 4
Man Utd


Le Normand (89')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Fernandes (27', 57'), Rashford (65'), James (90')
Wan-Bissaka (8')

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer delighted with display against Real Sociedad

:Headline: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer delighted with display against Real Sociedad: ID:435818: from db_amp
Bruno Fernandes scored twice to guide the Red Devils to victory.
Solskjaer delighted with display against Sociedad

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was delighted by Manchester United's performance in the Europa League thrashing of Real Sociedad having been through a "difficult spell" in recent weeks.

After December's galling Champions League group-stage exit, the Red Devils put together an impressive domestic run that saw them reach the top of the Premier League last month.

But things have gone awry recently, with Sunday's disappointing 1-1 draw at embattled West Brom meaning they had just two victories to show from six matches in all competitions.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was all smiles after the win in Turin (Andy Rain/PA)

Solskjaer's side got back to winning ways in style in Thursday's Europa League last-32 clash against Sociedad, with Bruno Fernandes' brace complemented by Marcus Rashford and Daniel James in a 4-0 first-leg win in Turin.

"We played well," the United boss said. "We were more clinical in front of goal, of course, even though we had a few chances before we got the first one.

"But definitely when we got the second, the game opened up and we found ourselves in loads of space."

Asked if he will make wholesale changes in the return leg at Old Trafford given progress to the last 16 is all but assured and they face a frantic fixture schedule, Solskjaer said: "No, we've got to take one game at a time.

"Of course we've got Newcastle first but we'll put a strong team out because it's about creating momentum.

“I thought the boys had got that little bit of zip in their legs again”
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

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

"I thought the boys had got that little bit of zip in their legs again so it was important to be able to take some players off.

"We still rotated the team. We'll rotate, definitely, but, no, we're not going to take the game lightly."

James was among United's five alterations in Turin, where Solskjaer said he displayed his "X factor" on a night when he wrapped up victory having provided Fernandes' second goal.

Daniel James wrapped up the victory (Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse/AP)

Rashford – who scored the third – put the Portuguese through for the first-half opener, kicking off an impressive win and continuing his exceptional form since joining United from Sporting in January 2020.

"He always wants to do the next thing correctly," Solskjaer said of Fernandes.

"He wants to do the next thing at the best of his ability and that's a good attribute and quality to have that he never rests on his laurels.

"If he scores two, he wants three. If he has an assist, he wants another one. He drives everyone on.

"Of course sometimes he drives too much and he wants to do too much. I thought tonight he played his position well, we were in the spaces we wanted him and you can see how efficient he is."

Amad Diallo was this January's big-money arrival and the 18-year-old came on for his United debut in the closing stages at Juventus' Allianz Stadium.

"We'll make a decision on (whether to start him in the second leg) after Newcastle," Solskjaer said.

"But he's had a couple of games in the reserves and we'll take it lightly. There's still a few players who were on the bench tonight that would want to start, of course.

"But Amad is getting closer and we'll see how much game-time he'll get."

United are all but through to the round of 16 ahead of the return fixture at Old Trafford, where Sociedad head coach Imanol Alguacil wants a response.

"They are very high quality at a physical level, technical level," he said. "They are skilled, it's a team of champions that we were facing.

"United are a great side, that's what happened tonight. We want to show our style of play at Old Trafford."

amp_article__435818 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-02-18 21:38:13:
html db last update - 2021-02-18 21:38:13 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Read more!

Click here for more stories about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .