Wayne Lumbasi
Manchester United face a tough Europa League knockout round play-off tie after failing to build on teenager Alejandro Garnacho’s outstanding opener and beat Real Sociedad by a two-goal margin.
It was a wonderful moment for the 18-year-old Madrid-born winger, who was making his second start for the Red Devils.
Real Sociedad, aware that a one-goal defeat would be preferable for topping the group, as United needed to win by two clear goals or more to pip them to the top spot, played cautiously throughout the tie, content to let the game drift without clear-cut chances either way.
Machester united will now have to play an extra round in mid-February against a team that has been eliminated from the Champions League, with Barcelona, Juventus, and Ajax among the possible opponents.
The knockout round playoffs will take place on February 16 and 23. If successful, the round of 16 will begin on March 9.
