United's Europa tie left in the balance
Real Sociedad 1 - 1 Manchester United
Joshua Zirkzee netted his first European goal for Manchester United, but his side had to settle for a draw against Real Sociedad, leaving their Europa League last-16 tie finely poised.
Author - Liam C
Zirkzee broke the deadlock 12 minutes into the second half, firing a low shot from the edge of the box that caught goalkeeper Alex Remiro off guard.
However, Real Sociedad levelled the score through a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty, awarded after a VAR review spotted a handball by Bruno Fernandes.
United will feel frustrated not to have taken a win after dominating for nearly an hour, with Andre Onana untested before Sociedad were awarded their penalty.
Fernandes saw a goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Aritz Elustondo in the first half, while the United skipper also sent a free-kick narrowly wide.
The equaliser seemed to unsettle United and Onana was forced into action, diving to his right to keep out Brais Méndez’s curling effort from 25 yards. Late on, Orri Oskarsson squandered two big chances – first stabbing an effort wide from close range before seeing a goalbound shot pushed away by Onana deep into stoppage time.
Despite the frustration of conceding an equaliser, Amorim's side will be confident of finishing the job at Old Trafford.
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The 2nd leg will decide United's fate this season
The pressure is on as the Europa League remains their only realistic shot at silverware this season, following last Sunday’s FA Cup exit on penalties to Fulham.
There’s no escaping the fact that this campaign has been underwhelming, but Europe has offered a rare bright spot. United remain unbeaten in the competition, with five wins and four draws, and only Galatasaray (19), Lazio, and Tottenham (both 17) have outscored their 16 goals in the League Phase.
This was a strange game in which United looked in complete control for long spells, yet could easily have lost in the end. The penalty swung momentum Sociedad’s way, and if they fail to progress next week, Oskarsson may well regret those late misses.
His added-time effort was well saved by Onana from a tight angle, but he will be kicking himself for an earlier miss – toe-poking wide from six yards out when he had the goal at his mercy.
