Paul Scholes has prasied two Manchester United stars for their efforts at Reale Arena. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Manchester United will lock horns with Real Sociedad at Old Trafford next week in hopes of punching their ticket to the Europa League quarter-finals.
The Red Devils now have 90 minutes plus the option of extra time and penalties if the sides cannot be separated come the full-time whistle in M16, with the scoreline currently locked at 1-1 following tonight’s stalemate in Spain.
A lacklustre first half on all fronts likely had Ruben Amorim willing to settle for a draw. That was, however, until Joshua Zirkzee opened the scoring on the 57th-minute mark and sprung the visitors into action.
Yet, the Reds were unable to add to their lead, and 13 minutes after the deadlock was broken, Bruno Fernandes was adjudged to have handled the ball inside Sociedad’s area, resulting in a spot-kick being awarded to the home side.
Mikel Oyarzabal swiftly converted his effort to bring the clubs level. When neither could poke their noses in front throughout the final 20 minutes, they were made to settle for a draw, leaving it all to play for in Manchester.
Fernandes’ handball has provoked outrage from fans since the call was given, especially as it now dampens an otherwise stellar display from the skipper. In fact, Paul Scholes cherry-picked the No.8 and his midfield counterpart Casemiro as two players who performed the way Amorim would’ve asked them to prior to kick-off.
Scholes gives credit to two Reds for fulfilling Amorim’s wishes
“I thought Fernandes and Casemiro, in the sense of the pitch, kept possession quite well. That’s what the manager asked for before the game. And I thought they were quite comfortable,” said the club legend on TNT Sports’ coverage.
“But because they’re playing against a team without that much legs, that helps them too, definitely. I thought they were in control. They didn’t create an awful lot of chances, Manchester United.”
“We know [Diogo] Dalot should have squared it to [Rasmus] Hojlund, and that would have been another one,” Scholes continued. “[Alejandro] Garnacho had a couple of hard chances. But I expect United to be better at home next week, and I think they’ve got enough to beat Real Sociedad.”
