Manchester United arguably produced their finest performance of Ruben Amorim’s short reign to send Real Sociedad packing in the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday night. The hosts recovered from an early scare at Old Trafford after, just like in the first leg, a VAR intervention assisted Mikel Oyarzabal’s goal from the penalty spot.
A Bruno Fernandes hat-trick and Diogo Dalot’s rubber-stamp strike left the result in no doubt – winning 4-1 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate to set up a quarter-final clash against Lyon. The United supporters were always going to be up for it. This was a far cry from the club’s great European nights, but no one could dispute its importance. A lively Stretford End – filled with supporters desperate for the season not to end in March – was a given.
But in the build-up towards kick-off against La Real, there was a change. United fans responded to Amorim’s pre-match demand in a brand new way.
Fan group The Red Army splashed £5,000 to provide the club with 50 smoke canisters that fulminated red and white moments before the players took to the pitch.
Brutally speaking, it’d be a lie to say the anticipated smoke show wasn’t an anti-climax. Two loud bangs distanced apart, and that was it. Was there a malfunction? Perhaps.
However, fan-funded efforts to raise the atmosphere for a game of this magnitude can’t be scrutinised. This writer – and Stretford Ender – hopes it is the start of a common trend on such occasions.
The move still sent the same message to the players and staff.
The Europa League is crucial this season – for a final shot at silverware in May and Champions League football next term.
If the supporters show up like that at Old Trafford for April’s quarter-final second leg against Lyon, the players will have no excuse not to do the same.
Amorim should feel galvanised by such an overwhelming response to a demand he issued to the fanbase in his programme notes.
“Tonight, with the balance of the tie after the first leg, we know that if we win this game at Old Trafford, then we will make progress in a big, important competition.
“It is a clear goal, and although it will take hard work to make it happen, we know we can do it if we all work together.”
No one is even attempting to sugarcoat the importance of the Europa League for United in the coming months.
The financial and sporting benefits of clinching a second crown in Bilbao on May 21 would make another largely dismal season a success.
But there is a long way to go until May 21. If the road looks like Lyon, Athletic Club and then a final against Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio or Eintracht Frankfurt, there will be twists and turns to come.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk