Manchester United’s five things noticed vs Real Sociedad, two position changes must stick (Europa League)

Manchester United’s five things noticed as Rúben Amorim’s men put four past Real Sociedad and head into the Europa League quarter-finals at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.

Rúben Amorim chose to start Ayden Heaven on the left of the club’s back line as Manchester United took on Real Sociedad in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final knockout fixture after a draw in Spain last week.

With the tie finely poised at 1-1 after the first leg, the Old Trafford leg of the fixture started with the visitors on the front foot, and their work was rewarded almost immediately as they were awarded a penalty that Mikel Oyarzabal converted within ten minutes of kick-off.

However, just five minutes later, Rasmus Højlund was fouled in the opposition box, and Bruno Fernandes converted to level the tie. With United holding much of the momentum they came close several times, but with the half-time whistle, the sides could not be separated.

United were awarded a second penalty just minutes into the second half after a challenge on Patrick Dorgu, which Fernandes scored to hand his side their lead. With 30 minutes still to play, Dorgu was fouled by Jon Aramburu while on the attack, with the substitute being handed a straight red card and the La Liga side down to ten men.

With United in utter freedom mode, they kept pounding and pounding on Sociedad’s defensive door. Finally, they were rewarded as Fernandes notched his third of the night, sealing a hat-trick on the evening.

Diogo Dalot added a fourth in added time to send United through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, where they will face Olympique Lyonnais.

#1 – Verdict on Heaven’s first-ever senior start

Heaven was not just making his first senior start for United but the first of his career, and within a minute, he had stepped up well to make an early inception. As the first half continued, the 18-year-old looked impressive.

He was good on the ball, calm while defending, and did not put a foot wrong while playing as a left centre-back amid the absence of Lisandro Martínez and Leny Yoro.

With Sociedad down to ten men in the second half, pressure on the back line eased, but Heaven’s first professional 90-minute performance was nothing short of fantastic. A gem of a signing for just £1 million.

#2 – It was a new type of performance from Højlund

While Højlund has rightly caught a lot of flack for his rather astonishing 20-game streak without a goal, his performance he put in against Sociedad was one of a player who was willing to give it all and, more importantly, not give up.

In the first half, it was clear he was willing to run the channels, sacrifice for the team, and put his body on the line for United, and this culminated in winning the Fernandes penalty and having a few chances to score himself.

In the second half, the Danish international continued to do his good work and kept coming closer and closer to scoring, but to no avail. However, Old Trafford is clearly behind him, and they will come.

#3 – Dalot looking better on the right

It seems an obvious thing to say, but Diogo Dalot looked like a much better player when he was allowed to operate on his orthodox right hand side, as he was able to hold the width while inverting to add to the midfield.

Dalot being able to come in field for United from the right hand side was key under Ten Hag, but Amorim has been able to use this ability so far with the player mostly playing on the left due to injuries on that flank.

However, with Dalot on the right, he provided a wide outlet while filling in centrally to cover when Fernandes stepped forward, and he must continue playing there.

He had one dodgy moment in the second half that Casemiro cleared up, but overall, his goal right at the end of the fixture put the cherry on the cake of what was a great display.

#4 – Garnacho must continue on the right

United’s last three fixtures in a row have seen Alejandro Garnacho start on the right-hand side, and he must continue there.

Read More: Bruno Fernandes breaks Europa League record after Manchester United goal vs Real Sociedad

He started there against Sociedad in the first leg last week and assisted Joshua Zirkzee, and when he played there against Arsenal last weekend, Amorim declared it was the best game he’s seen from the winger since he took over in November.

With Amad out for likely the rest of the season and Dorgu working well with Zirkzee on the left, Garnacho was fantastic once again in the position, and he must stay there for at least the remainder of the campaign.

#5 – A sign of things to come?

The last 20 minutes of football was a joy to watch.

United played with freedom and happiness both in and out of possession, with Amorim’s wing-backs flying high and the club in complete control of proceedings.

Three goals from your captain, coming back after going 1-0 down early on, and a fourth involving Højlund and Dalot, two players who needed the boost. A wholly successful night at Old Trafford.

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