Fernandes scores brace as Man Utd thrash Real Sociedad

Bruno Fernandes led Manchester United to a comfortable first-leg 4-0 win against Real Sociedad in Turin to put the Red Devils in control of their last-32 Europa League tie.

The Action: At the time of the draw in December, Real Sociedad were leaders in La Liga and regarded as a tough test for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men, but a superb performance from Man Utd effectively killed the tie after the first leg. 

The Mancunians took the lead after 27 minutes when Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro misjudged a bouncing ball over the top and collided into two of his defenders leaving Bruno Fernandes with a tap-in.

Early in the second-half, the Portuguese midfielder doubled United's lead after a great move started by Marcus Rashford saw Fernandes sweep home via a touch from Daniel James.

The Red Devils kept their intensity and doubled their advantage in the latter stages: Rashford with a great strike to finish off another quick United counter, and James adding the fourth in the final minute of normal time.

The Big Picture: Manchester United's focus returns to the Premier League at the weekend when they host Newcastle on Sunday at 7pm. The return leg against Sociedad is next on their agenda at Old Trafford next Thursday at 8pm. The Spaniards will hope to get this heavy defeat out of their systems when they host Alaves in La Liga on Sunday at 3.15pm.

Memorable Moment: Real Sociedad's goalkeeper was having a good night with a couple of saves at the beginning of the first-half, but he undid his good work with a terrible misjudgement for Fernandes' first goal. It all went downhill for Sociedad from that point.  

Man of the Match: There are two Manchester Uniteds: one with and one without Bruno Fernandes. After another tremendous goalscoring performance by the Portuguese international, it feels like Bruno should be playing in a different European competition...

Quote of the Day: Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer: "We feel we are a work in progress, we are learning, the season has been a little inconsistent, with some games we've not been able to win lately, but I felt we got the X-factor back today."

Stat of the Day: Manchester United recorded 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.

📈 On another level.

Sum up @B_Fernandes8's performance in 𝐨𝐧𝐞 word 👀#MUFC #UEL pic.twitter.com/4oWB9YtgU7

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 18, 2021