MAN UNITED 0, REAL SOCIEDAD 0
(United win 4-0 on aggregate)
Shola Shoretire wrote himself a place in Manchester United’s record books as they cruised past Real Sociedad to claim a last 16 place in the Europa League.
At 17 years and 23 days, the midfielder from Newcastle became the club’s youngster-ever player in Europe beating the long-held record of legend Norman Whiteside at 17 years and 131 days.
Shoretire, who replaced Mason Greenwood for the final 14 minutes, lined up alongside Axel Tuanzebe, Marcus Rashford and Brandon Williams.
It was an exciting glimpse into the future – 18-year-old Ivorian Amad Diallo also made his debut – in what was a dead rubber after United won 4-0 in the away leg.
Yet, if Sociedad had taken some of their early chances, including a penalty, it might have made it a more interesting night.
Another clean sheet was a positive but United lacked a cutting edge with only four of their 11 goal attempts on target.
Embed from Getty ImagesOf Shoretire, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Shola has got some skills, he’s going to make a very good player here.
“It’s a platform tonight, just 15 minutes but it’s something to remember for him at Old Trafford. Maybe he would’ve enjoyed it more with fans because they give you so much energy. But I’m sure all the fans will see him soon.”
Solskjaer was delighted to progress to the last 16: “You remember the defeats more so than the wins. 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 are a group that are very tight together. You come in, your work every day, you have a few setbacks and knocks. We want to go further but when you have failed before you want to do better. The culture is really improving, and we’ve got some fantastic players and fantastic coaches.
“Now until the international break, I think we have six or seven games – we have Chelsea, Leicester and West Ham – all important games, so these three weeks now are going to be massive for us. But confidence is good and hopefully will get a few players back in.”
United named a strong side despite holding a commanding 4-0 first-leg lead with only four changes from the side that beat Newcastle on Sunday.
Dean Henderson replaced David de Gea in goal and captain Harry Maguire was handed a rare rest. Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford also dropped out.
Into the side also came Eric Bailly, Alex Telles and Mason Greenwood, with Bruno Fernandes skippering the side.
United had youngsters Shoretire, who was handed his senior debut against Newcastle, Nathan Bishop and Ethan Galbraith on the bench.
The Sociedad side included former United player Adnan Januzaj and one-time Newcastle player Mikel Merino while on the bench was ex-Arsenal man Nacho Monreal, but Manchester City legend David Silva was not involved.
United weren’t switched on as they could easily have found themselves three down after an awful opening quarter of an hour.
First, they conceded a penalty following a clumsy challenge by Daniel James on Andoni Gorosabel, but Mikel Oyarzabal blazed his spot kick well wide, his first-ever miss after 18 successful conversions. It was the first penalty miss by a visiting player at Old Trafford since Leighton Baines in 2014.
Alexander Isak, sliding in at the far post, just failed to convert a low cross from Oyarzabel and Ander Giuevara then shot over when well placed.
It sparked United to life, but it was not until the 22nd minute that they created their first clear chance, a shot on the turn from Anthony Martial which was well saved by Alejandro Ramiro.
Fred cut the ball back for Fernandes whose shot struck crossbar as United were belatedly up and running.
It was the 11th time he had struck the woodwork in all competitions in the last 12 months, more than any other Premier League player.
Fernandes then picked out James with a perfect through ball, but the winger’s header was well saved by Ramiro.
There was the unusual spectacle of seeing six changes made at the break, three for either side.
United withdrew Fernandes, Aaron Wan-Bisska and the booked Fred who were replaced by Rashford, Williams and Tuanzebe.
And Rashford, who had taken over the captaincy, almost made an immediate impact with a 30-yard free kick which flashed just wide.
Sociedad remained a threat as Modibo Sagnan headed against the crossbar while Greenwood brought a decent save from Ramiro.
United made a fourth change just short of the hour when James limped off to be replaced by debutant Diallo.
Tuanzebe was convinced he had broken the deadlock midway through the second period when he headed home Alex Telles’ corner.
The joyous celebrations for what would have been his first Reds’ goal were cut short as it was disallowed by Belgium referee Lawrence Visser after he consulted with the pitchside monitor. He ruled Victor Lindelof had committed a foul for which he received a booking for his high challenge.
United’s final change with 14 minutes left saw Greenwood replaced by Shoretire who, at 17 years and 23 days, became the Reds’ youngest player in European football claiming the record previously held by Whiteside.