Sociedad Draw: A Comedy of Top Drawer Football…
Man Utd’s latest episode in the Europa League soap opera took place in the Basque Country with a performance that would make Ruben Amorim’s heart sing – or perhaps just hum a catchy tune. The wing-backs were charging like caffeinated cheetahs, and the midfield was pinging passes faster than a toddler on a sugar high. It wasn’t exactly fireworks, but it was a European showing of finesse, save for a clumsy dance move from Bruno Fernandes that resulted in a penalty for Sociedad. A classic case of doing the Cha-Cha Slide in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The statistician’s dream: United started with a light touch (32% possession) and ended with a firm handshake (45% possession). All eyes were on the back three including Matthijs de Ligt, standing tall and solid like a trio of telephone poles. Meanwhile, Dalot and Dorgu took express routes down their flanks, creating golden opportunities like Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. It was classic attack-switch-play that saw United lead fabulously – well, until the penalty waltz came along and leveled the score.
Despite the goal hiccup, United refused to collapse like a house of cards. The irony, of course, is they control the Europa League stage better than their Premier League intro. Casemiro enjoyed playing in slow motion, while United managed to pull off some tidy passing sequences, like a seamless episode of Strictly Come Dancing. Perhaps they need to borrow Amorim’s magical touch for the local league, otherwise, the upcoming showdown with Arsenal might look less like tango and more like a twister. Hold onto your hats – there’s more European charm expected on Thursday!
