Bruno Fernandes’ goal ensured that Manchester United practically secured their place in the next Europa League round.
The Red Devils defeated Real Sociedad 4-0 in Turin before the second leg at Old Trafford next week.
Travel restrictions prevented the tournament from being played in Spain, but United have fond memories of the victory in the Italian city and they continued.
Fernandes’ goal was able to illuminate what was once a forgettable first half.
Marcus Rashford missed an opportunity early on, after Fernandes clarified it.
Later, the Portuguese star scored the first goal by taking advantage of some defensive indecision to hit the empty goal.
An offside flag seemed determined to deny him a blow in the second half, but a long VAR check was in his favor and his clever finish just before the hour was up.
Rashford then atoned for his previous foul and Daniel James grabbed a quarter at the end, but secured qualification for the Round of 16 for the Red Devils.
Here are five talking points for a comfortable United victory.
(Image: REUTERS)
Europa League needs
United’s victory is a declaration of intent – and necessary in that.
Three semifinals last season and no trophy for nearly four years means the pressure is building.
Solskjaer needs to at least take his team to the final, after coming close to four times when you consider the Carabao Cup semifinals this season.
With Manchester City looking unstoppable on the domestic market, the Europa League can present United with their best chance of success, although the FA Cup is still an option.
They certainly left out a Sociedad team that held a privileged position in La Liga for much of the season.
We all know that in a single game United can be devastating and if they can reproduce this clinical demonstration they will be a tough nut to crack.
(Image: ALESSANDRO DI MARCO / EPA-EFE / REX / Shutterstock)
Stop the device jam
Solskjaer said he would have no problem if Thursday night’s match was a unique game and you have to question why it wasn’t.
Government travel restrictions have forced UEFA to find alternative venues for several games.
The Spanish and German teams were unable to host European matches.
But in a season where games are packed as never before and with an international tournament coming up in the summer, why didn’t common sense prevail?
Solskjaer said last week: “This is out of our hands, it’s nothing we can say ‘OK, let’s meet in Torino and play a game’. I wouldn’t mind that, one game less. “
Instead, United had to play a game midweek and weekend for the past five weeks.
(Image: Getty Images)
Without lining Silva
Former Manchester United players David Silva and Adnan Januzaj failed to beat United.
Silva ended his decade-long association with Manchester City in the summer and was very successful against the Red Devils.
But he was unable to weave his magic in Italy, as United held him back for long periods.
Januzaj was the man with a point to prove, although he said he did not do so earlier this week.
After bursting onto the scene at Old Trafford, he had no regular opportunities with Louis van Gaal and had to move on.
He was unable to make United regret his decision.
(Image: Getty Images)
United end spanish hoodoo
United have not won their last nine games against Spanish opponents since defeating Celta de Vigo in the Europa League four years ago.
Sevilla, Real Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona got the better of it since that day.
Some of those losses were a sign of the chasm between United and Europe’s elite, but others were some of the darkest in recent days.
Sevilla’s victory at Old Trafford in the Champions League during Jose Mourinho’s term was a real low point.
But Sociedad failed to maintain La Liga’s dominance in Turin.
United were able to stifle the game based on possession and hit them regularly on the counterattack, putting them in charge before the second leg.
An impressive debate
It seems that we will always be debating whether Rashford is more effective as a central striker or in a broader position.
Robbie Savage in BT Sport comments said the United striker was much more of a threat from the wing.
The position allows him to look across the line and time his runs in a way that he cannot centrally.
The finishing ability continues to be maintained against Rashford and losing a chance in the first half only serves to underline that.
His pace means he can be devastating from the wing, as was the case with his attack in the second half.
But while Solskjaer remains without a frontman he can trust to score 25 times a season, Rashford will have to do a job in the middle, potentially to his detriment.