Alejandro Garnacho’s first-half of strike became sufficient to cozy Manchester United victory over real Sociedad but the red Devils didn’t top their group and now head to the Europa League playoffs.
Erik ten Hag’s facet needed to beat the la Liga outfit by means of a two-aim margin to leapfrog their opponents and pinnacle their group however struggled to interrupt down a resilient Sociedad defence. They now face the chance of a Europa League playoff in domestic and away legs in February, wherein the likes of Barcelona, Juventus and Ajax anticipate, to attain the last-16.
United appeared active in the opening ranges with Garnacho the bright spark and after numerous neglected chances he eventually opened the scoring on 17 minutes, going for walks onto Cristiano Ronaldo’s via ball to spoil domestic from a decent attitude.
David de Gea had a reasonably quiet night time however had to be at his top notch exceptional to make a stunning double keep just earlier than the spoil, denying Pablo Marin from near variety at the second one attempt.
Ten Hag made modifications in the early half as he added on Marcus Rashford looking for that decisive 2nd aim however the England global struggled to make an effect.
As Sociedad stood tall and commenced to run down the clock, the Dutchman ripped up the playbook and taken on Harry Maguire… Setting him up the front with Ronaldo. It failed to work although and United now await their fate in Monday’s Europa League draw.
Man United VS Real Sociedad final score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Real Sociedad | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Man United | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Goals:
MUN – Garnacho (17th min)
Garnacho the megastar
At the same time as Rashford continued a irritating night in the front of purpose after approaching and Ronaldo failed to make an impact in the course of, the future actually looks vivid with teenage superstar Garnacho coming via.
This time closing month the Argentine become scoring for the U21s in a football League Trophy win over Barrow. He’s now bagged the winner in a Europa League tie and started to announce himself on the large degree.
The 18-12 months-old became the youngest non-English participant in United’s history to attain in Europe, showing composure beyond his years to latch on to Ronaldo’s through ball, out tempo the defender, and finish with aplomb.
Notwithstanding going off the boil a piece inside the second half of, Garnacho’s beginning forty five genuinely had the visiting fans on the edge in their seats, twisting and turning the right-again inside out at instances before trying to get a shot away or pick out out a key skip.
If he continues on taking those possibilities to impress underneath Ten Hag he may not be facing the likes of Barrow again any time quickly, that is for sure.
Ten Hag’s wild methods
Ten Hag has honestly made some masterstrokes with substitutes and strategies at times this season but tonight wasn’t one in every of them. He opted to provide Donny van de Beek his first begin due to the fact March 13, 2022, however the Dutchman changed into anonymous in the first 1/2, playing behind Ronaldo.
He acknowledged the need for alternate early on within the 2nd 1/2 with Rashford and Scott McTominay delivered on the hour mark for Van de Beek and Victor Lindelof as they sought a 2d aim.
However Rashford provided little and notwithstanding the likes of Anthony Elanga at the bench he opted to bring on Maguire and Fred with ten left on the clock. Christian Eriksen and Garnacho were the men to make manner but few ought to have expected Maguire was heading on to help deliver the desires.
Ronaldo and Maguire up front definitely in no way have to have been an option. It regarded a tad determined, they have been in spite of everything, however Sociedad have been managing long balls quite readily all night and the introduction of Maguire just disrupted the rhythm of United’s play.
