Manchester United have taken control of their last of 16 tie after defeating Real Sociedad 4-0 in Thursday night Europa League first leg match in Turin, Italy.
United’s midfielder, Bruno Fernandes pulled off a man-of-the-match performance, scoring his 20th and 21st goals of the season.
The Portuguese opened the scoring in the 27th minute of the match when Marcus Rashford clipped a ball into the area for the onrushing midfielder.
Sociedad’s goalkeeper Remiro jumped past the ball and crashed into two of his defenders, leaving Fernandes with a tap-in which the Portuguese gladly put into the back of the net.
United doubled their lead in the second half; Fernandes stepped over a pass from Rashford, allowing to ball to roll towards the path of Daniel James. The midfielder hit a return pass from the Welsh winger into the far corner.
He was grateful to the ground for taking it away from the keeper. It was first disallowed as an offside, but the goal was given after a review from the Video Assistant referee (VAR).
Fernandes has now scored 33 goals and contributed 19 assists, in his 58 games since signing for netted in January 2020.
Fred was the master mind of United’s third, his long pass split Sociedad’s defence and gave Rashford a clean one-on-one opportunity. He calmly slotted it into the bottom corner of Romiro’s net.
Ivorian defender Eric Bailey sent a long pass across the field to meet Daniel James, who cut in all the way from the touchline and shoots through Remiro for United’s fourth. It was James’ fourth goal of the season in all competitions.
The second leg of the tie will be at United’s home Old Trafford next week Thursday.
