Bruno Fernandes’ barrier ensured that Manchester United secured their place except in the next round of the Europa League.
The Red Devils defeated Real Sociedad 4-0 in Turin before returning to Old Trafford next week.
Travel restrictions meant the match could not be played in Spain, but United have fond memories of winning in the Italian city, and they continued.
Fernandes’ goal was to ease a memorable first half.
Marcus Rashford rejected an early chance after Fernandes made it clear.
The Portuguese star later grabbed the first goal when he took advantage of a defensive indecision to hit in an empty net.
A foreign flag looked like he would be denied a second half, but a long VAR check was to his advantage and his clever finish stood just before the hour.
Rashford then reconciled for his earlier miss and Daniel James finished a late fourth, in addition to secure qualifying in the final 16 for the Red Devils.
Here are five talking points of a comfortable United victory.
(Image: REUTERS)
Europa League needs
United’s victory is a statement of intent – and a necessary one at that.
Three semi-finals last quarter and almost four years no trophy means the pressure is increasing.
Solskjaer should at least take his team to a final, which is now four times close when you compete in the semi-finals of Carabao Cup this season.
As Manchester City looks unstoppable domestically, Europa League United may offer the best chance of success, although the FA Cup is still an option.
They certainly put aside a team in Sociedad that has been in a high La Liga position for much of the season.
We all know that United can be devastating in a one-off game, and if they can repeat this clinical version, it will be hard to crack.
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Stop the congestion of the game
Solskjaer claims he would have had no problem if the match on Thursday night had been a one-off match, and you have to question why it was not.
Government restrictions on travel have meant that UEFA has been forced to find alternative venues for various games.
Spanish and German teams could not both offer European ties.
But in a season where matches are plugged in like never before and with an international tournament coming up this summer, why has common sense not prevailed?
Solskjaer said last week: ‘It’s out of our hands. We can say nothing ‘OK, we’ll just meet in Turin and play one game’. It will not bother me at all, one game less. ”
Instead, United have had to play a midweek and a weekend game over the past five weeks.
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No Silva lining
Former Manchester men David Silva and Adnan Januzaj could not find one over United.
Silva ended his decade-long association with Manchester City this summer and achieved much success over the Red Devils.
But he could not weave his magic in Italy as United contained him for long periods of time.
Januzaj was the man with a proof to prove, though he insisted he did not do so earlier in the week.
After bursting onto the scene at Old Trafford, he did not get regular opportunities under Louis van Gaal and had to move on.
However, he could not regret the decision.
(Image: Getty Images)
United end Spanish hoodoo
United have failed to win their last nine matches against the Spanish opposition as Celta Vigo were beaten in the Europa League four years ago.
Sevilla, Real Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona have all prevailed since that day.
Some of the losses were a sign of the gap between the United and the elite of Europe, but others were one of the darkest of recent days.
Sevilla’s victory at Old Trafford in the Champions League during Jose Mourinho’s tenure was a real low point.
But Sociedad could not keep the La Liga dominance in Turin going.
United were able to stifle their possession-based play and regularly beat them at half-time to put them in front of the second leg in the wheelchair.
A striking debate
It would seem that we will forever debate whether Rashford is more effective as a central striker or from a wider position.
Robbie Savage on BT Sport comment claims the United forward is a threat from the wing.
The position allows him to look over the line and determine his runs in a way that he can not be central.
The finishing touches are still being held against Rashford, and a chance to miss the first half can only underline that.
His pace means he can be devastating from the wing, as was the case with his second half.
But while Solskjaer remains without a central frontman he can trust to score 25 times a season, Rashford will be asked to do a job in the middle, possibly to his detriment.