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There’s everything to play for tonight as Manchester United host Real Sociedad in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League round of 16 clash.
Last time out, Man United were held to a 1-1 draw by the Spaniards despite dominating the game. Unfortunately, a penalty allowed Sociedad to level the score line late on.
There was not a lot wrong with United’s performance on the night, with Ruben Amorim’s team taking 13 shots and exhibiting plenty of attacking momentum throughout the duration of the first half and for much of the second half before the hosts got onto the front foot in the final 20 minutes or so.
The main issue was that United were unable to score more than one goal. Had they done so, they would have had the cushion they needed to grab a valuable away win and enter tonight’s match with added confidence.
Last weekend, United produced another impressive display when they held their own against a high-flying Arsenal in another 1-1 affair.
It was a tense showdown between the bitter rivals, with Bruno Fernandes’ spectacular free kick sending United into the lead before Arsenal equalised in the second half.
Unfortunately, despite some impressive recent displays, there is a problematic trend emerging. It appears as if the United captain is being called upon to save his team time and again when his teammates fail to produce the finished product.
Defensively, United have held solid despite several injuries. The back three of Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, and Leny Yoro did everything required of them to keep a clean sheet against Sociedad, had an unfortunate hand ball not resulted in a penalty.
With Victor Lindelof replacing Mazraoui in the back three for the Arsenal clash as the Moroccan shifted to wing-back, Amorim’s defence was decent against Arsenal as well. It took a moment of magic from Declan Rice to level the scoreline with a shot that very few players could be expected to block.
Attacking has been a different story, however. While Joshua Zirkzee scored a spectacular goal against Sociedad last time out, Fernandes had to rescue his team against Arsenal as well as during the FA Cup defeat to Fulham, thereby sending the game to penalties.
Aside from Fernandes, who has 12 goals and 13 assists in 42 games across all competitions this season, there seems to be no other consistent performer up top.
With eight goals and seven assists in all competitions, Alejandro Garnacho has been through an exhaustive dry streak, last finding the back of the net against Bodø/Glimt on November 28.
Despite his recent goal against Sociedad, Zirkzee has struggled greatly up top, scoring just six goals this entire season.
Another painful dry streak has been that of Rasmus Hojlund. With seven goals to his name in all competitions, the Dane’s last goal came on December 12 against Viktoria Plzen, and while Garnacho’s streak is longer, Hojlund’s is even more alarming given his primary role as a striker.
If there’s one thing that United manager Amorim has to do ahead of tonight’s game, it’s to ensure that his attacking lineup has the focus and confidence it needs in order to be more clinical up top. To rely on one key player for results is not a sustainable strategy, no matter how exceptional he may be. Hopefully, finishing has been a central focus at Carrington in the days leading up to this crucial match.
As the only opportunity for silverware that United have left, tonight’s Europa League match against Sociedad means everything.
Amorim must ensure that his defence remains consistent, as they have in recent games, while his attacking lineup needs to sharpen up and contribute goals if they are to have any hope of saving the season.
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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