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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men secured a safe pass to the Europa League round of 16 against Real Sociedad when 17-year-old Shola Shoretire became the youngest player to represent Manchester United in a European match.
FULL MATCH DETAILS
This round of 32 tie was all but settled when the Red Devils scored four unanswered away goals in Turin last week, but the Norwegian still named a surprisingly strong team for the second leg.
Solskjaer had hoped to gain momentum and confidence in the second leg at Old Trafford, but had to settle for a 0-0 draw and a part of history by introducing the teenage Shoretire when they saw a 4-0 aggregate win.
At 17 years and 23 days, the forward replaces Norman Whiteside as the youngest player to represent United in European competition.
It was a memorable moment towards the end of a largely forgettable clash, with Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal missing a penalty in the early stages of a first half in which Bruno Fernandes hit the crossbar.
Modibo Sagnan hit the wood shortly after the break and substitute Axel Tuanzebe saw a header disallowed due to a foul by Victor Lindelof in preparation.
But with the tie resolved, Solskjaer turned to his highly skilled teens as January signing Amad Diallo replaced the injured Daniel James before Shoretire arrived for his record appearance.
United would always be in the round of 16 draw on Friday given the result of the first leg against Sociedad, for whom the great David Silva of Manchester City was conspicuous by his absence.
The veteran was one of five changes made by coach Imanol Alguacil, who knew his minuscule chances of progress would only be possible if they unsettled the hosts with an early opener.
James gifted them the opportunity to do just that, with referee Lawrence Visser signaling the spot after the Welsh winger collided with Andoni Gorosabel after receiving a pass from United academy graduate Adnan Januzaj.
Oyarzabal went ahead to the point but was sent to the Stretford End by the Society’s boss in the 13th minute.
The Spanish international would have been quick to make amends had it not been for Lindelof, who magnificently cut through the center of the winger with Alexander Isak ready to launch himself at the far post.
Solskjaer’s slow side only calmed down belatedly midway through the first half, when Anthony Martial forced a smart save from Alejandro Remiro on his first post.
The Society goalkeeper was dragged out of position by Fred as the hosts attacked again, with the midfielder’s unorthodox cut found on the edge of the area by a shot from Fernandes for the first time that hit the crossbar.
The Portuguese became a creator when he clipped a beautiful ball for diminutive James to escape from a header that Remiro simply cleared toward the end of a forgettable first half.
Tuanzebe, who was deployed as a defensive midfielder, Brandon Williams and Marcus Rashford entered the break, with the latter coming close to finding breakthrough within three minutes of his introduction.
On the fifth anniversary of his first team debut, Rashford gave Remiro a bad footing with a 30-yard free throw that bounced just off the post foot.
United might be able to threaten from set pieces, but they are often lacking when defending them, and Sagnan sees a header off the crossbar when a free kick caused problems soon after.
Mason Greenwood saw a low shot from the edge of the penalty area pushed and then sent a low snapshot to the side net before Diallo replaced the injured James in the 59th minute.
United found the back of the net four minutes later, when substitute Tuanzebe shot up to boost Alex Telles’ corner kick, but their joy was short-lived.
Video assistant referee advised referee Visser to check Lindelof’s flying knee that caught Jon Bautista as the ball went in, leading to scoring the goal and warning the United defender.
Martial came close and Dean Henderson denied Martin Merquelanz as the match sold out, but Shoretire’s historic introduction in place of Greenwood in the 76th minute made for a memorable finish.
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