UEFA Europa League 2024-25: Real Sociedad holds Manchester United to 1-1 draw in Round of 16 first leg

UEFA Europa League 2024-25: Real Sociedad holds Manchester United to 1-1 draw in Round of 16 first leg

Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal coolly netted a penalty to hold Manchester United to a 1-1 draw in a UEFA Europa League 2024-25 last 16 first leg clash at the Reale Arena in San Sebastian on Thursday.

Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee netted his first goal in five games to send Ruben Amorim’s side ahead before the hour mark but Bruno Fernandes conceded a penalty for handball, which Oyarzabal dispatched in the 70th minute.

The host came close to snatching a winner late on but Orri Oskarsson twice failed to finish and the match is evenly poised ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford next Thursday.

“Before the penalty, I thought the team was in control, I think it changed with the penalty… we take the game to Old Trafford, we’ll try to win there. (The team) are really anxious to score goals and win games,” Amorim told reporters.

Amorim was left with just 18 players to call on because of an injury crisis, with Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte joining the likes of Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw on the sidelines.

Amorim said Wednesday it was not “crucial” for his team to win the competition but suggested it could turn around a dire season, with the club 14th in the Premier League and dumped out of the other cups.

The first half was a drab affair with neither side attacking with confidence or edge, although the Premier League giant came closest.

Real Sociedad defender Aritz Elustondo blocked Fernandes and Zirkzee shots as United probed.

Real Sociedad has endured a tough domestic campaign too, sitting ninth in La Liga, but with the Europa League final at the home of rival Athletic Bilbao, it would dearly love to win it at the San Mames.

Imanol Alguacil was able to bring back Takefusa Kubo, Oyarzabal and Luka Sucic after suspension and injury ruled them out of the 4-0 thrashing by Barcelona in La Liga last weekend, but La Real struggled without injured midfield conductor Martin Zubimendi.

Fernandes sent a free-kick wide as United started the second half with more vim and Alejandro Garnacho fired into the side-netting when well placed.

The visitor made the breakthrough after 58 minutes when Zirkzee bundled home from Garnacho’s pass across the area, with Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro disappointed not to keep his effort out.

Amorim said Zirkzee, who missed a penalty in Man United’s FA Cup defeat by Fulham on Sunday, deserved his moment.

“He deserved it because he’s working really well, he’s improving in a lot of things… and he was really important for us today,” explained Amorim.

Brais Mendez fired wide from long range with Real Sociedad’s first menacing effort midway through the second half.

A few minutes later the Basque side won a penalty when United captain Fernandes was adjudged to have handled in the area as he tried to defend a corner.

Oyarzabal, who scored the winner for Spain in the Euro 2024 final against England, dispatched it clinically, sending Man United goalkeeper Andre Onana the wrong way with his side’s first shot on target.

The Cameroon international then made a good save from Mendez’s long-range curler as La Real hit their stride.

Oskarsson should have won the game for Real Sociedad but poked a fine chance wide and had another effort well saved by Onana in the final stages.

The winner of the tie will face French side Lyon or Romanian outfit FCSB in the quarterfinals.

Published on Mar 07, 2025