United went on an away game in their Europa League encounter when they faced Real Sociedad. They had a familiar face there with Januzaj on the opposing side on the night. The boy sensation that was single-handedly saving matches for United many years back.
Manchester United started the game well and went on the front foot. They dropped from Champions League to Europa League and were determined to go all in for this competition.
Isak was played through in the 1st minute and went one on one with Henderson. He produced a lovely shot which the goalkeeper expertly turned out for a corner kick. Not long after that, Januzaj produced a curling effort with the aim of getting the other end of the post but he missed narrowly wide.
In the 18th minute, United had a real chance of their own when Wan Bissaka found Fernandes who laid a lovely pass across the face of the goal for Rashford but Rashford was denied by the feet of the goalkeeper in the 6 yards box. The ball fell to Fernandes who produced a lovely header too but the effort was cleared off the line by the defender. Not too long after, the goalkeeper saved again with his feet from McTominay's shot on the side of the post.
The first goal of the game came in the 26th minute when a long ball intended for Fernandes was over his head, the defender clashed with his goalkeeper to leave Fernandes with the opportunity of having the ball. He brilliantly slammed his effort into the back of the net to register the first goal. That was his 20th goal of the season. He is an important player for United.
The half time came and United went 1-0 into the break. There were encouraging signs from both sides even though nothing more came from their efforts except the 1 goal that separated the two teams.
In the 56th minute, Fernandes doubled the lead and his second on the night when he was so quick to react faster than Daniel James. A pass came for Daniel James from Rashford and while he got a touch to knock it off him, Bruno quickly hit the shot and it found the back of the net. There was a call for offside but VAR reviewed it and the goal stood. 2-0.
Bruno Fernandes has now been directly involved in 52 goals in 58 games in all competitions for Manchester United. He has 33 goals and 19 assists which is 10 more than any other Premier League player since his debut in February 2020. He has been a huge catalyst for this United side.
United was not done and a brilliant defence-splitting pass came from Fred to Rashford who only had to race to the post and slot it past the goalkeeper. 3 always goals for this first leg for United. Rashford brilliantly converted the goal in the 64th minute. Good run, good timing and a good goal.
Amad came in for the last 10 minutes too to have a taste of first-team football and he had 4 dribbles and completed all of them in a short spell that he was in, more than anyone on the pitch. Daniel James was phenomenal on the night and got the 4th goal for United right at the death. He brilliantly raced in and cut into the box. With Amad to his left, he went for the goal himself and got the reward his effort deserved.
United was too good for their Spanish counterpart and they have it all to do in the second leg if they are to qualify and as it stands, it's a tough task for them to do.
Thank you for your time.
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