Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd LIVE RESULT: Red Devils survive late onslaught as Europa League tie remains in the balance
MANCHESTER UNITED have had to settle for a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
Joshua Zirkzee stroked home the opener just before the hour mark with a guided finish past Alex Remiro.
Real Sociedad struck level through Mikel Oyarzabal's penalty on 70 minutes after Bruno Fernandes was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.
The Spanish side had numerous chances late in the second half, but United held firm to keep the tie in the balance ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford next week.
- Match result: Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
- Real Sociedad team: Remiro, Aihen, Zubeldia, Aritz, Barrene, Oyarzabal, Kubo, Aguerd, Turrientes, Brais Mendez, Sucic
- Man United team: Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Yoro, Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu, Zirkzee, Garnacho, Hojlund
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No end in sight for demanding fans
Everyone had hoped the appointment of Ruben Amorim would herald a new era for the Old Trafford outfiit.
However, fans are starting to realise that the problems for their team go far deeper than matters on the pitch.
It is going to be a long road to recovery if they are to get back to being the side they once were, if at all.
That is quite a sobering thought for a club who became accustomed to trophy-laden seasons.
Red Devils face tricky run
With their current injuries, deep down, Ruben Amorim would no doubt love to rest some key players before they welcome Real Sociedad for the second leg.
However, the fans just would not accept seeing their team field a weakened side for the visit of Arsenal to focus on a trophy that is deemed as a second-rate European competition.
Man Utd have some testing fixtures coming up and will need to dig deep to find some confidence and form to get through this period with some positive results.
Make or break for Ange's promise
Tottenham will welcome AZ Alkmaar to North London, knowing they have it all to do in this tie.
Earlier in the season, Postecoglou pointed out that he always wins silverware in his second season at clubs he manages.
The Europa League offers the only chance to stick to his word.
Spurs will need to turn up for this second leg, showing their attacking threat from start to finish if they are to have any hope of putting the Dutch side to the sword in the capital.
Amorim's side must take confidence
Playing the second leg of any European tie at home offers a huge advantage, something which United need to capitalise on.
Coming away from the Reale Arena with a draw is a good result and Man Utd will be massive favourites to make it to the quarter-finals.
It is all about mentality now, they will need to take the game to Real Sociedad and put them under pressure from the off.
This tie is there to be won and if Amorim's side do not progress, they will only have themselves to blame.
Credit: Getty Europa League last-16 full time scores
Here are the results from the other early kick-offs tonight:
AZ 1-0 Tottenham
FCSB 1-3 Lyon
Fernabahce 1-3 Rangers
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
Ruben gives thoughts on draw
Speaking to BT Sport, the Red Devils' manager gave another honest opinion on his team's performance:
No, I felt until the penalty we had control of the game. Then the penalty changed the momentum. I felt in the last thirty minutes our players looked really tired. It was definitely fatigue, we were late on the ball, it was there for everyone to see. Our decisions in the final third is often not the best. We have to move on to the next game now.
Ruben AmorimSkipper costs Red Devils victory
The rules on handball seem to constantly change in the modern game, most people are baffled about what the laws are from one week to the next.
Bruno Fernandes was trying to challenge for a header but as the ball struck his arm, none of the Sociedad players even appealed for a penalty.
Seemingly out of nowhere, VAR asked the referee to stop the game and go to the monitor.
Man Utd will feel hard done by with the decision but as per the rules, it was a penalty.
From that point the Red Devils seemed to be in survival mode, trying to ensure that they came away from the game with something to show for their efforts.
Credit: PA Rasmus no goals strikes again
When you speak to Man Utd fans about Hojlund, the replies tend to be he is one for the future or is still trying to find his feet at the club.
The finger should really be pointed to the manager and coaches, they have to see the same things we do.
His style of play as the front man has to change, if you spend so little time in the penalty area, you will never score goals.
FT: AZ 1-0 Tottenham
It is amazing how many sides in the modern game dominate possession but have no output in the final third.
That was the story for Spurs this evening, with the hosts having enough chances to put themselves in a far stronger position when they head to North London for the second leg.
Postecoglou's side will still fancy their chances in this one but, much like Man Utd, you really don't know which version of their team will turn up.
View from SunSport's Martin Blackburn in Spain
UNITED seemed to be coasting towards the quarter finals when they took a second half lead but ended up grateful for the draw.
Joshua Zirkzee’s goal was a heart-warming moment for the Dutch forward after his penalty heartache on Sunday.
But a penalty awarded by the VAR for handball against Bruno Fernandes was converted by Mikel Oyarzabal – the man who broke England hearts at Euro 2024.
And Icelandic forward Orri Oskarsson could even have given the home side a lead to take to Old Trafford for the second leg but wasted two golden late chances
FT: Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
The Red Devils looked in complete control of the game after they finally managed to break the deadlock.
However, they have learnt the hard way what a fragile position a one-goal lead is.
After Fernandes' handball gifted the hosts a penalty, it was the Spanish side who looked more likely to score in the closing stages.
The players trudge of looking disappointed but the reality is, had you offered it to them before a ball was kicked tonight, they would have taken that result.
FT: Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
The referee brings the game to a close.
Oskarsson may have trouble sleeping this evening, he should scored the goal to secure a win for his team.
Man Utd take a well-earned draw iinto the second leg at Old Trafford.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
90+4. Amorim will be disappointed that his team surrendered a position of strength in this game.
Oskarsson tries a shot from a tight angle and Onana beats it clear.
Almost the ultimate sucker punch for the visitors.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
90+2. Fernandes swings a free-kick into the box.
It is half-cleared by the hosts and Eriksen's miskick loops up into the penalty area.
Sociedad clear their lines and immediately turn defence into attack as Man Utd players scramble back towards their own goal.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
90. The one positive for the Red Devils tonight is that they have not picked up any injuries this evening.
Their squad is looking threadbare at the moment.
Sociedad have twelve players on the bench this evening, compared to Man Utd's seven.
We are going to have five added minutes.
Credit: AP
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
88. It looks like Hojlund's drought is going to be extended to 19 games for Man Utd.
Amorim opts to make some changes, bringing Lindelof and Collyer on.
They replace Zirkzee and Yoro for the visitors.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
86. What a chance for Sociedad to take the lead.
A sublime cross in behind the defence finds Oskarsson just inside the back post.
He has done all the hard work, getting in front of his markers but incredibly sends his shot inches wide of the post.
That had to be a goal, dreadful attempt from the hosts.
Huge let off for Man Utd, the Spaniards should have completely turned the game on its head there.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
84. There is definitely a player in Alejandro Garnacho but he is still such a raw talent.
Things like attitude and application should be where your experienced skipper takes them under his wing and mentors them.
That doesn't seem to be in Fernandes' DNA, his approach is to just scream at people when they make a mistake.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
82. Casemiro's passing this evening has been poor at the most critical times to rub salt into the wound.
They had a great chance to break then with so much space down the left flank.
He spotted his teammate but there was too much on his ball and it ran harmlessly out of play.
Garnacho is pictured sat sulking on the bench having been brought off.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
80. You would have to say if Man Utd do not win this game, they only have themselves to blame.
There was a period of this match where the hosts seemed to be on the ropes and were there for the taking.
Amorim's side just could not create enough clear-cut chances to give themselves some breathing space with another goal.
Credit: AP Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
78. Garnacho is replaced by Eriksen for the Red Devils.
Interesting change, it may see Fernandes have to switch into a wide position.
This match is finely poised, almost impossible to pick a winner.
That said, these Sociedad fans are making all the noise now and it seems to be spurring their team on.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
76. Amorim is readying some changes for the visitors.
He has quite limited options on the bench, not many flair players who can come and impact the game.
Mendes tries another shot from distance but Onana claws it around the post with a full-stretch dive.
View from SunSport's Martin Blackburn in Spain
MIKEL OYARZABAL – remember him?
He was the guy who broke England hearts at Euro 2024 with a late winner in the final.
And here he was scoring from the spot to keep Real Sociedad in the tie – after Joshua Zirkzee had given the visitors the lead.
It was a controversial spot-kick given for a handball by Bruno Fernandes – but has given the home side a huge lift.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
74. That equaliser will be a bitter pill to swallow for Amorim.
Up until that point, this seemed the perfect performance from his side.
Sociedad will want another goal now. so they have something to take into the second leg at Old Trafford.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
72. Incredible scenes as the entire stadium, bar the away end, starts to do the poznan.
Not sure whether it is an intended dig, being the celebration of Man Utd's local rivals Man City.
We have a game on our hands now, it should be an exciting twenty minutes in Spain.
Credit: EPA