Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Sport

Man United stroll into Europa League last 16

Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 32 Second Leg - Manchester United v Real Sociedad - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - February 25, 2021 Manchester United's Daniel James in action with Real Sociedad's Andoni Gorosabel REUTERS/Phil Noble

Manchester United eased into the Europa league last 16 after a 0-0 home draw with Real Sociedad on Thursday completed a 4-0 aggregate win over the Spanish side in their round of 32 clash.

With one eye on Sunday's Premier League clash against Chelsea, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer started striker Marcus Rashford and defender Harry Maguire on the bench.

Solskjaer said United were determined to go further than last year when they reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup, and they also lost to Manchester City in this season's League Cup semis.

Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 32 Second Leg - Manchester United v Real Sociedad - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - February 25, 2021 Manchester United's Anthony Martial in action with Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi REUTERS/Phil Noble

"You remember the defeats more so than the wins," the Norwegian told BT Sport.

"To get the semi-finals in any competition, you're so close. We've had three of them, we've lost one, so this group knows how it feels. We want to go further but when you have failed before you want to do better."

Sitting on a comfortable first-leg cushion, the home side looked lethargic in the opening 20 minutes and Sociedad missed a 13th-minute penalty as Mikel Oyarzabal scuffed his spot-kick wide after Daniel James fouled Andoni Gorosabel.

Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 32 Second Leg - Manchester United v Real Sociedad - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - February 25, 2021 Manchester United's Anthony Martial in action with Real Sociedad's Modibo Sagnan REUTERS/Phil Noble

United came to life as Bruno Fernandes rattled the crossbar with a swerving shot from 15 metres while Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Ramiro denied Anthony Martial and James.

Modibo Sagnan hit the woodwork for Sociedad with a close-range header shortly after the break before United substitute Axel Tuanzebe had a goal disallowed for Victor Lindelof's foul on Jon Bautista.

Fernandes made way for Rashford at the interval but United largely went through the motions in the second half as they sat back and kept the visitors at bay.

Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 32 Second Leg - Manchester United v Real Sociedad - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - February 25, 2021 Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Phil Noble

The home team's substitute Shola Shoretire became the youngest United player to feature in European competition at the age of 17 and 23 days when he came on for Mason Greenwood in the 76th minute.

"Shola has got some skills and attributes we think will make him a very good player here," Solskjaer said. "A platform tonight, just 15 minutes, something to build upon."

Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 32 Second Leg - Manchester United v Real Sociedad - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - February 25, 2021 Real Sociedad's Mikel Oyarzabal misses a penalty REUTERS/Phil Noble

(Writing by Zoran Milosavljevic; Editing by Ed Osmond)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.