Absentee-hit Manchester United were unable to turn a positive performance into a Europa League victory as Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty sees Real Sociedad head to Old Trafford with the last-16 tie poised at 1-1.
This competition offers Ruben Amorim’s side only route to silverware, and realistically European qualification, given they sit 14th in the Premier League and were knocked out of FA Cup by Fulham.
Joshua Zirkzee put his saved penalty in Sunday’s shoot-out exit behind him to strike United into a deserved lead, only for Oyarzabal to level from the spot with Sociedad’s first shot on target after the VAR spotted a Bruno Fernandes handball.
We''re held to a draw in San Sebastian but it''s all to play for in the second leg 👊#MUFC || #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 6, 2025
Aritz Elustondo produced blocks to deny Fernandes and Zirkzee in quick succession, with the latter making the breakthrough in the 57th minute when firing home from the edge of the box.
La Real offered little by way of response, but the VAR’s intervention gave them the chance to level with 20 minutes remaining. Fernandes’ handball was punished upon review and Sociedad skipper Oyarzabal scored from the spot.
The rejuvenated hosts ended on top as United’s lack of options and recent exertions took their toll, but they head back to Old Trafford for next Thursday’s second leg in a decent position.
Amorim was without 11 first-team players on Thursday and his succeeded in staving off what their coach expected to be an intense start from the LaLiga outfit, showing positional discipline and the odd flicker of promise going forwards.
United’s first shot on target came in the 12th minute, when Fernandes and Casemiro won the ball to start a counter that led to Alejandro Garnacho getting away an easily gathered shot after some nice footwork.
Diogo Dalot did not enjoy the finest half but made the right decision when playing over to Fernandes to get away a shot blocked on the line by Elustondo. United kept their cool and the move alive, with Zirkzee denied by the Sociedad centre-back before flicking a follow-up wide.
Dalot saw a header easily held before a break that returned in the same pattern, with the Amorim’s Reds on top but struggling to find a killer instinct.
Garnacho then met a low cross with a strike into the side netting and then saw an effort deflect into Alex Remiro’s grasp.
The Argentina international would soon help United take the lead their play deserved, cutting back for Zirkzee to hit a first-time shot from the edge of the box through Benat Turrientes’ legs and past goalkeeper Remiro.
The travelling support enjoyed a goal they looked to build on as Garnacho shot just wide of the near post.
But life is rarely straightforward for United, who saw Brais Mendez flash a 25-yarder close before confusion reigned in the stadium as referee Ivan Kruzliak received instructions through his earpiece.
There was no information in the ground but VAR Pol van Boekel instructed the referee to go to the monitor and review a Fernandes handball as he attempted to clear a corner.
Kruzliak pointed to the spot and the Reale Arena roared when Oyarzabal – Spain’s match-winner against England in the Euro 2024 final – pounded his penalty past Andre Onana in the 70th minute.
United’s goalkeeper did well to push a Mendez drive from distance wide in the 77th minute, with Nayef Aguerd nodding over the resulting corner.
La Real smelt blood and Orri Oskarsson prodded fellow substitute Sheraldo Becker’s cross agonisingly wide.
Matthijs de Ligt did brilliantly to deal with a cross after an initial slip and Onana stopped Oskarsson in stoppage time as it ended all squared in Spain.
[(Estrela Amadora) Strength]: 1. Estrela Amadora are motivated to secure their first win of the season in this home game.2. Estrela Amadora won the previous two games in AH, boasting a commendable trend.[(Estrela Amadora) Weakness]: 1. Estrela Amadora lost 1-0 to SL Benfica in the last game at home. They started the new season poorly, with only 1 draw and 1 loss.2. Estrela Amadora conceded in the ...
[(CR Flamengo (RJ)) Strength]: 1. CR Flamengo (RJ) forward Pedro Guilherme scored a goal in the last game, showing his outstanding form.2. CR Flamengo (RJ) won 2-0 over SC Internacional in the last game, securing a 5-game winning streak across all competitions and showing hot form.3. CR Flamengo (RJ) boasted remarkable defense lately, conceding only one goal in the last 3 games.4. With excellent o...
[(Estudiantes de La Plata) Strength]: 1. Estudiantes de La Plata have performed well at home. In the last 6 home games, they have achieved 4 wins and 2 draws.2. Estudiantes de La Plata have managed to keep clean sheets in four of their last six home games, demonstrating a decent defensive performance at home.3. In the last 16 home league matches of Estudiantes de La Plata, as many as 10 games saw ...
[(Eyupspor) Strength]: 1. Eyupspor have suffered two consecutive defeats at the start of the new season. This time, playing at home, Eyupspor are highly motivated and urgently need points to reverse the decline and avoid three consecutive losses at the beginning of the season.2. Eyupspor relied heavily on home games to score points. Last season, their home record ranked 9th in the Turkish Super Li...
[(Club Atletico Belgrano) Strength]: 1. Club Atletico Belgrano have achieved a record of 5 wins, 5 draws and 1 loss in their last 11 official matches, demonstrating a decent ability to grab points.2. Club Atletico Belgrano have conceded only one goal in their last four official matches, demonstrating a solid defense.3. Club Atletico Belgrano have conceded only two goals after five rounds of the Ar...
[(Athletic Bilbao) Strength]: 1. Athletic Bilbao won the first La Liga game in the new season and are eager to continue winning. Thus, they will go all out in this home game.2. Athletic Bilbao beat Sevilla FC 3-2 in the first league game at home in the new season, starting with a win. They boasted a 46% possession rate, 14 shots with 3 on target, and 3 goals scored.3. Athletic Bilbao scored in 5 o...
[(FC Orenburg) Strength]: 1. Jordhy Thompson scored two goals in the latest game, demonstrating a rather excellent form.2. FC Orenburg drew 2-2 with FC Akhmat Grozny in their last match and have achieved a record of 2 wins and 1 draw in their last 3 games, showing a decent overall performance.3. FC Orenburg won their last 5 games in AH.[(FC Orenburg) Neutral]: 1. FC Orenburg have achieved 1 win, 3...
[(Sunderland A.F.C.) Strength]: 1. Sunderland A.F.C. were eliminated by their opponents in the first round of the EFL Cup last season. This season, the team have been promoted to the Premier League and have strengthened their lineup. They are highly motivated to compete in the EFL Cup this season.2. Sunderland A.F.C.'s main center-back Daniel Ballard has been in excellent form recently. He average...
[(Newcastle United F.C.) Strength]: 1. Newcastle United F.C. failed to get off to a winning start in the first round of the new season's league. The team are currently eager to win. If Newcastle United F.C. can secure all three points in this home game against defending champions Liverpool F.C., it will boost their morale. The team are motivated.2. In the last three seasons that Newcastle United F...
[(FC Kairat Almaty) Strength]: 1. In the first leg between the two teams, FC Kairat Almaty secured a 0-0 draw on the road. Thus, they are undoubtedly motivated to win this home game to enter the Champions League.2. Dastan Satpaev scored 3 goals and made an assist in the previous 7 Champions League qualifiers, being important on the team's offense.3. FC Kairat Almaty received 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 ...
- 1 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 2 'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day Win
- 3 TIPS - Eintracht Frankfurt VS Werder Bremen
- 4 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 5 TIPS - Cerezo Osaka VS Vissel Kobe
- 6 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 7 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 8 TIPS - Sunderland A.F.C. VS Huddersfield Town A.F.C.
- 9 Antony’s Man United Exit Hopes Rest on Fresh Real Betis Bid Within 'Next 24 Hours'
- 10 TIPS - Olympique de Marseille VS Paris FC