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EUROPA LEAGUE: SOCIEDAD’S ADNAN JANUZAJ KEEN TO START AGAINST FORMER TEAM MANCHESTER UNITED

Real Sociedad winger Adnan Januzaj is relishing the chance to show the club he loves what they are missing when lining up against Manchester United in the Europa League.

The world appeared to be at his feet when he broke into the Red Devils’ first team as teenager, marking his full debut with a match-winning brace against Sunderland in 2013.

But Januzaj’s blistering start eventually fizzled out, with his stock falling and Jose Mourinho taking the decision to sell him after forgettable loan stints at Borussia Dortmund and Sunderland.

The Belgium international joined Sociedad in 2017 for a fee rising to £9.8million, with United including a buyback clause for a player that has been rejuvenated in Spain and is excited to be facing his former team.

“I love United a lot,” Januzaj said ahead of Thursday’s Europa League first-leg meeting, which is taking place in Turin due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“They’re my favourite club, and even to this day I watch every single game of theirs because I love the club.

“Obviously, when I saw that I would have to play against United, it was a bit of a weird feeling.

“But at the end of the day I want to play them and try to beat them, to show them also what they have missed and stuff like that.”

Januzaj swapped Belgium for the north-west of England aged 15 and soon knew he had made the right decision, saying his best memories to date came during his time with United.

There are still a few familiar faces at the club from his time at Old Trafford such as Paul Pogba, who he “grew up with” and has kept in close contact with throughout the years.

“We play PlayStation together so we don’t really talk (then) – but sometimes I tease him a little bit via video call (about this tie) because we are in contact a lot,” Januzaj told UEFA.

“It will be weird (to play against him) because off the pitch we are amazing friends, and we have such good, close contact.

“We have known each other from a young age. We grew up at United together, we’ve gone through a lot of things.

“So having him in front of me – it’s good that we don’t play in the same position!

“I don’t think we will have much contact between each other, but obviously for my part I want to win that game.”

In-form Sociedad are fifth in LaLiga but head into the tie as underdogs, with United the bookmakers’ favourites to win the competition let alone progress from this last-32 tie.

“If we beat United, then I think we have a bigger chance – the biggest chance to win the Europa League,” Januzaj added.

“For me, United right now – the United of today – is the toughest opponent in the Europa League that you could get.

“We know we can make everything happen in this Europa League campaign and we have a lot of things to show people.”

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GUNDOGAN DOUBLE HELP CITY THRASH SPURS TO GO SEVEN POINTS CLEAR

Ilkay Gundogan struck a second-half double as Premier League leaders Manchester City powered to a record-extending 16th successive win with a 3-0 success over Tottenham.

The in-form German, fresh from being named as the player of the month for January, took his goal tally for the season to 13 as he added to Rodri’s 23rd-minute penalty at the Etihad Stadium.

Gundogan was also responsible for winning the spot-kick in another outstanding display but his evening ended prematurely as he went off injured soon after his superbly taken second goal, from an Ederson pass, on 66 minutes.

The win extended City’s lead at the top of the table to seven points and their overall unbeaten run in all competitions – since losing to Spurs in November – to 23 games. Their 16-match winning run, again in all competitions, is a record for an English top-flight side.

They showed their intent early with Gabriel Jesus having two shots blocked in quick succession but Tottenham did not intend to sit deep as Tanguy Ndombele made a driving run into the hosts’ box.

Spurs went close to taking the lead when Harry Kane hit the frame of the goal from a free-kick in the 14th minute. The England captain had worryingly clutched his angle after being fouled by Aymeric Laporte but he was soon on his feet and unlucky to see his curling effort strike the top of a post.

City made the most of that reprieve to hit the front themselves after Gundogan was brought down in the area by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

A week ago Gundogan had been the designated penalty-taker himself but, after missing against Liverpool, this time he deferred to Rodri.

It looked at one point as though goalkeeper Ederson was interested in taking it as the Brazilian wandered up to the halfway line but – despite speculation he may one day get the job – his turn will have to wait. Hugo Lloris almost got a hand to it, but Rodri’s low shot found the bottom corner.

The game became niggly for a period and Jesus got involved in a running battle with Erik Lamela. Spurs boss Jose Mourinho reacted furiously when the Brazilian won what he considered a cheap free-kick from the Argentinian.

Yet City continued to pose the bigger danger and they went close again when Gundogan had a shot blocked after a good run by Raheem Sterling and Jesus hit the bar with his follow-up attempt.

Gundogan got his reward early in the second half. He put City in firm control with his first on 50 minutes after another good run by Sterling, who cut all the way through the box from the right. Gundogan took over to finish tidily with an instinctive strike inside the near post, although Lloris was beaten too easily.

Gundogan’s best was still to come with his second just after the hour. Ederson picked him out in space with a long ball over the top and Gundogan’s control was so assured that that Davinson Sanchez was completely wrongfooted and collapsed in a heap. With space to shoot, Gundogan slipped the ball past Lloris.

The downside was that Gundogan appeared to tweak a groin muscle soon afterwards and he was promptly removed.

Mourinho turned to Dele Alli, for his first Premier League appearance in two months, and Gareth Bale, after a week of uncertainty and speculation over his fitness, but the outcome was not in doubt.

Bale did however show a flash of what he can do with a jinking run into the box but Ederson parried his strike.

Sergio Aguero was unexpectedly among City’s substitutes after recovering from Covid-19 but the club’s record goalscorer was not required on this occasion

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UNITED HELD TO 1-1 DRAW AT WESTBROM DESPITE FERNANDES STUNNER

Bruno Fernandes scored a brilliant volley as Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion.

West Brom went ahead in the second minute, when Mbaye Diagne headed in Conor Gallagher’s cross for his first Premier League goal.

Man Utd got back on level terms after 44 minutes, when Luke Shaw picked out Fernandes, whose volley flew past West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

After the break, Mason Greenwood and Scott McTominay both had efforts cleared off the line.

Diagne had two chances for a second goal. He was denied by an excellent David De Gea save when clean through before firing over from close range.

But the Baggies needed a magnificent Johnstone save to secure a point, as he tipped Harry Maguire’s header on to the post in the final minute of stoppage time.

Man Utd move up to second with 46 points but they lost ground this weekend on Manchester City, who are seven points clear with a match in hand.

West Brom stay in 19th on 13 points.

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MAN UNITED, ARSENAL EUROPA LEAGUE TIES CHANGED TO NEUTRAL VENUES

Manchester United and Arsenal’s Europa League last-32 first legs next week will be played at neutral grounds due to coronavirus restrictions.

United were due to travel to Spain to face Real Sociedad next Thursday, while Portugal was the venue for the Gunners’ clash with Benfica on the same night.

But UEFA has announced that United will now take on Sociedad at Juventus’ Allianz Stadium in Turin following Spanish government restrictions on travellers entering the country from England.

A statement read: “UEFA would like to thank Real Sociedad de Futbol and Manchester United FC for their close co-operation and assistance in finding a solution to the issue at hand, as well as the Italian Football Federation and Juventus for their support and agreeing to host the match in question.”

The PA news agency understands Arsenal will play Benfica in Rome as the UK implements strict coronavirus quarantine rules around people returning from Portugal.

The second leg of United’s tie will take place at Old Trafford as planned the following week, but Arsenal’s home game will have the same issue as their away trip, with Benfica barred from entering the country. No decision has yet been taken on a venue for that match.

The developments come after Liverpool and Manchester City also had Champions League ties due to be played in Germany moved to Budapest.

Liverpool’s clash with Leipzig on February 16th and City’s encounter with Borussia Monchengladbach on February 24th will now both take place at the Puskas Arena in the Hungarian capital on their respective scheduled dates.

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MAN UTD 3-3 EVERTON: CALVERT LEWIN LATE STRIKE BREAK MANCHESTER UNITED’S HEART

Dominic Calvert-Lewin stunned Manchester United in stoppage time as the striker secured Everton a hard-fought 3-3 draw at Old Trafford.

Just days on from the 9-0 annihilation on nine-man Southampton, the Red Devils looked set to celebrate another Old Trafford victory.

Scott McTominay had set Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side on course for victory, having recovered from Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodriguez cancelling out first-half efforts from Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes.

But United’s soft underbelly from set-pieces was exposed in stoppage time, with Lucas Digne’s free-kick flicked on by Michael Keane and Calvert-Lewin directing home for Everton.

The hosts will be wondering how they conspired to throw away victory here, especially having gone into half-time two goals up thanks to Cavani’s fine header and Fernandes’ moment of magic.

Everton were level within seven minutes of the second half getting under way as Doucoure turned home before Rodriguez rifled home the leveller, only for McTominay to head home Luke Shaw’s free-kick.

Yet in stoppage time, Calvert-Lewin was there to pounce, sealing a memorable point at an empty Old Trafford.

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MAN UTD MATCH CITY’S GOAL WINNING RECORD WITH 9-0 BATCHING OF SOUTHAMPTON.

Manchester United equalled the biggest winning margin in Premier League history as they triumphed 9-0 against a Southampton side who finished with nine men.

Southampton made a nightmare start at Old Trafford as 19-year-old Alexandre Jankewitz was sent off just 79 seconds into his full Premier League debut for a high challenge on Scott McTominay.

Man Utd took advantage with Aaron Wan-Bissaka tapping in Luke Shaw’s cross before Mason Greenwood teed up Marcus Rashford to double the lead 25 minutes in.

Jan Bednarek then scored an own goal and Edinson Cavani headed in from a second Shaw assist to make it 4-0 at half-time.

After the break Bruno Fernandes set up substitute Anthony Martial to score before McTominay netted a fierce drive from long range.

It got even worse for Southampton when Bednarek was sent off for a denial of a goalscoring opportunity and Fernandes converted the resultant penalty.

Martial then struck his second before Daniel James rounded off the scoring with the last kick of the match, converting Fernandes’s header across the box.

United tie their own 9-0 win over Ipswich Town in 1995 and Leicester City’s victory by the same scoreline at Southampton in 2019.

It means they are behind Man City on goal difference alone but have played two matches more. Southampton drop to 12th after a fourth consecutive loss.

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ARS 0-0 MUN: HONOURS EVEN AT THE EMIRATES.

Arsenal extended their unbeaten Premier League run to seven matches in an exciting, but goalless, draw against Manchester United.

In an open contest at Emirates Stadium, Fred saw his 19th-minute shot denied by the fingertips of Bernd Leno at full stretch, before Bruno Fernandes curled narrowly wide as United enjoyed the better of the first-half chances.

Arsenal started the second half brightly, with substitute Willian and Nicolas Pepe both having shots blocked in quick succession.

Alexandre Lacazette powered a free-kick against the bar and Emile Smith Rowe forced David De Gea into a smart save with the follow-up.

Those opportunities came either side of Edinson Cavani spurning two good chances for United.

For the first, the Uruguayan sidefooted just wide with Leno stranded, while the second was a spectacular volley with just two minutes to play going the wrong side of a post.

United’s club-record 18th away league match unbeaten keeps them second, but they drop three points behind Manchester City.

Arsenal go above Chelsea into eighth with 31 points.

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BURKE STRIKE EARNS SHEFFIELD SHOCKING VICTORY AT MANCHESTER UNITED.

Oliver Burke earned bottom club Sheffield United a surprise 2-1 win at Manchester United, as the hosts missed out on returning to the top of the table.

The Scot’s 74th-minute strike deflected in off Axel Tuanzebe to hand the Blades only their second victory of the campaign, and their first away from home.

Man Utd started brightly, with Marcus Rashford firing wide, before Sheff Utd’s Billy Sharp forced a fine save from David De Gea.

Kean Bryan then put Sheff Utd in front on 23 minutes, as he headed in his first Premier League goal from John Fleck’s corner.

Harry Maguire equalised for Man Utd on 64 minutes, heading in Alex Telles’s corner.

But Sheff Utd restored their lead 10 minutes later when Burke’s first PL goal went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Defeat leaves Man Utd in second on 40 points, one behind Manchester City, who have a match in hand.

Sheff Utd remain bottom, but they now move within 10 points of safety.

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POGBA’S SUPER STRIKE DOWNS FULHAM AS UNITED RETAIN TOP SPOT.

An equaliser by Edinson Cavani and Paul Pogba’s brilliant winner sent Manchester United back to the top of the table as they came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1.

Fulham went ahead on five minutes at Craven Cottage, when Ademola Lookman met Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s ball over the top and dispatched a crisp finish into the far corner.

United levelled after 21 minutes when Bruno Fernandes, who had struck a post moments earlier, whipped over a cross that Alphonse Areola fumbled into the path of Cavani, who stabbed home.

Fulham started the second half as positively as they had the first but Lookman shot tamely at David De Gea.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side edged ahead on 65 minutes when Pogba picked up the ball on the edge of the area and turned to hit an unstoppable curling drive beyond Areola’s reach.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek fired over Fulham’s best chance to claim a point nine minutes from time.

United return to the top on 40 points, two clear of Manchester City, who have a match in hand.

Fulham remain 18th with 12 points.

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OLE GUNNAR SOLKSJAER DENIES BRUNO FERNANDEZ IS TIRED AND NEEDS REST.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer dismissed suggestions that Bruno Fernandes is tired and needs a break following the Manchester United star’s ineffective display against Liverpool.

The 26-year-old hit the ground running after arriving from Sporting Lisbon last January, scoring 19 goals and providing 14 assists in just 32 Premier League appearances.

Fernandes’ Player of the Month award for December was a record-breaking fourth of the year, yet the midfielder has failed to scale the same heights in the opening weeks of 2021.

The playmaker was below par in Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Liverpool – something pointed out by former United skipper Roy Keane – but Solskjaer does not believe the frantic festive schedule has taken its toll on the Portuguese.

His form is very good,” the United boss said. “He was just voted Player of the month. He’s not tired. No chance.

He is one of the players who runs and covers the ground in every single game. Very good at recovering, very good at recharging his batteries.

“If he’d scored his free-kick or just had a little air on the ball when Luke (Shaw) put the cross in, he would have been lauded as the best player in the Premier League again.

“Since he’s come in, he’s been absolutely immense. No, he’s not tired. If I ask him there’s absolutely no chance he’ll say he’s tired.

“He’s expected to create goals, score goals and sometimes the margins are against him.

“That free-kick, I saw that one in! There was a couple of passes that he plays through and it’s just marginal as to whether the player was on or off.

“So he’s always on the verge of creating something, even when he loses the ball, and that’s the position I want him in and that’s what he’s been told to do. He has to be the creative one. I want him to play the passes he sees.”

Fernandes could well play a key role for United on Wednesday as Solskjaer leads his table-topping side to improving Fulham, with the Norwegian waiting to see if there are any unwanted surprises regarding his options.

“Well, we’ve not got test results from Covid yet and that’s almost 30 hours ago since we did the testing, so hopefully we get them soon,” Solskjaer said.

“Everyone trained this morning more or less. Brandon (Williams) and Phil Jones didn’t train and the rest were on the pitch.”

United’s ability to rotate and maintain fitness during such a frantic period has been key to their recent rise.

Solskjaer has underlined the importance of maintaining that advantageous strength in depth this month, meaning the Norwegian will have to be careful when deciding who can follow Timothy Fosu-Mensah out of the club.