It was like something out of a Hollywood movie. An ageing Cristiano Ronaldo – an icon of the game and of Manchester United – picked up possession in the centre of the park, before sliding the ball through to his heir apparent, Alejandro Garnacho.
In that moment, it appeared that a baton was passed, with the then-teenage winger emulating his footballing hero by duly surging into the box and rifling into the roof of the Real Sociedad net. Could there be a better to way score your first United goal?
Unfortunately for Garnacho, his first Premier League goal for the Red Devils away to Fulham – which came just ten days later – would be somewhat upstaged by Ronaldo’s subsequent bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, yet little can take the shine off that stunning first strike away in Spain.
Roughly two and a half years on from that 1-0 win against La Real, United return to San Sebastian facing another pivotal Europa League night, with Ruben Amorim needing to do all he can to ensure that an already dismal campaign does not end with a whimper.
Season
Round achieved
Opponent
Result – Aggregate
2022/23
Quarter-finals
Sevilla
2-5 (L)
2020/21
Final
Villarreal
1-1 (L – 11:12 on pens)
2019/20
Semi-finals
Sevilla
1-2 (L)
2016/17
Winner
Ajax
2-0 (W)
2015/16
Round of 16
Liverpool
1-3 (L)
2011/12
Round of 16
Athletic Bilbao
3-5 (L)
The Portuguese coach could certainly do with another Garnacho-esque moment this time around, yet having seen his side fall short in the FA Cup last time out, decisions need to be made all across the park.
Patrick Dorgu's availability vs Real Sociedad
One key tweak that the 40-year-old will have to consider is whether to re-introduce Patrick Dorgu to the starting lineup, with the January arrival having seen red on his last outing at home to Ipswich Town a week ago.
The former Lecce man – who signed on a £30m deal – endured a real mixed bag of a night against the Tractor Boys, with an otherwise lively showing having been bookended by a horror mistake for the away side’s opener, as well as his reckless lunge on Omari Hutchinson just before the break.
That needless dismissal ensured that the young Dane was forced to watch on against the Cottagers on Sunday, although he will be able to make his return to action later today, should Amorim deem it wise too.
Dorgu
The 20-year-old had previously caught the eye in the 2-2 draw with Everton down the left flank, having won eight ground duels and completed 100% of his tackles, while offering a constant outlet in an attacking sense.
That showing has illustrated the wisdom of United’s winter pursuit, yet with Dorgu having been so costly on his last appearance, it may be worth considering a possible alternative in that wing-back berth this evening.
Man Utd's internal wing-back solution
Even if Dorgu does start against the Basque outfit, there may be a desire to push him into a more advanced attacking role, with forward options currently depleted outside of Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.
Chalkboard
That tweak could allow another potential star of the future to slot in on the left flank instead, with academy sensation, Harry Amass, seemingly long overdue a first appearance at senior level.
Signed from Watford back in 2023, the 17-year-old defender has been touted as the long-term solution at left-back, with journalist Alex Turk describing him as “Luke Shaw’s successor” last year.
Shaw himself also tipped his young compatriot as being a player to watch in the near future, with Amass having earned rave reviews for his form in the academy ranks. It is for no reason that talent scout Jacek Kulig has hailed the “exciting” teen as “one of Europe’s most talented teenage full-backs”.
The London-born starlet has chalked up four assists in 21 games this season in all competitions, as per Transfermarkt, with data analyst Ben Mattinson earmarking him as “one of England’s best left-back prospects”.
Part of the side that powered to a 3-2 victory over Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup last week, Amass also caught the eye against a senior Gunners side during pre-season, as well as against Liverpool, with journalist Samuel Luckhurst describing it as a ‘breakthrough tour’ for the youngster at the time.
Frustratingly, a first-team bow has not yet come to fruition under either Erik ten Hag or Amorim, yet with the 5 foot 11 ace – who is part of United’s Europa League squad – seemingly a perfect fit at wing-back, now could be the chance for the next academy diamond to earn a deserved promotion.
Who knows, he could even have his Garnacho moment at Reale Arena…
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