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Real Sociedad vs Man Utd LIVE: Europa League result and reaction as Oyarzabal earns draw with penalty

The Europa League is Man Utd’s final chance for silverware this season after their FA Cup exit last weekend

Michael Jones
Friday 07 March 2025 07:39 GMT
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Ruben Amorim aware of ‘consequences’ if Manchester United’s poor form continues

Manchester United earned a draw away from home against Real Sociedad in the Europa League last-16.

Joshua Zirkzee’s fine second-half finish was cancelled out by Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty after Bruno Fernandes was judged to have handled the ball in the area from a corner kick.

The match finished 1-1 and sets up a thrilling second leg to be played at Old Trafford next week.

Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho were struggling for confidence ahead of the game but both played well despite not being clinical enough in the final third.

After the game Zirkzee said he wants United to be more ‘ruthless’ when converting the chances and opportunities they make. Can they do so in the second leg?

Relive the Champions League action with our live blog below:

Man Utd show promise but familiar flaws leave Ruben Amorim a headache

Ordinarily, a draw away from home in first leg of a European knockout round is one to be celebrated, putting any team in the driving seat to progress.

Manchester United’s home discomforts under Ruben Amorim, however, will make Old Trafford a jittery place come next Thursday, after a 1-1 first-leg draw in the Europa League last 16 was secured at Real Sociedad.

As often with this misfiring fallen giant, things could, and perhaps should, have been so much better in the Basque Country. Their crucial European adventure remains alive, but with plenty still to do to edge one step closer to that pivotal return to Champions League football next term.

Man Utd show promise but familiar flaws leave Ruben Amorim a headache

Real Sociedad 1-1 Manchester United: United could have been home and hosed in San Sebastian but wasted opportunities mean next week’s Europa League last 16 second leg at Old Trafford will be a nervy affair
Mike Jones6 March 2025 20:22

FT Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd

Manchester United are still the only unbeaten team in the Europa League this season.

If they go on to win at Old Trafford they’ll look back at tonight’s result in a positive light.

Paul Scholes says on TNT Sports that United ‘should have enough’ to get through.

Mike Jones6 March 2025 19:58

FT Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd

(Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
(Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
(Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
Mike Jones6 March 2025 19:53

Full-time! Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd

90+5 mins: The full time whistle goes and it ends all square.

Bruno Fernandes will be annoyed about his handball that gave away the penalty but Ruben Amorim’s men will feel good about that result.

They go to Old Trafford with the tie still there to be won.

Mike Jones6 March 2025 19:41

Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd

90+2 mins: Collyer is fouled and leaves United with a chance to feed the ball into the box.

Fernandes is on set piece duty yet again. He flicks the ball into the penalty area and the initial header comes to Eriksen.

He skews the ball to Lindelof who sends it back but Sociedad clear and fly forward on the counter.

Mike Jones6 March 2025 19:37

Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd

90 mins: Victor Lindelof and Toby Collyer come on for the final few minutes with Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee taken off.

Five added minutes to play.

Mike Jones6 March 2025 19:35

Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd

87 mins: Man Utd will take a 1-1 draw now. They’re easily the second best side and look run off their feet.

The fresh legs of the Sociedad subs are causing multiple issues.

Mike Jones6 March 2025 19:31

Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd

84 mins: Chance!

Sociedad almost nick it at the end of the game thanks to their substitutes.

Becker comes down the right and swings in an early ball.

Oskarsson lunges for the ball and pokes it wide of the nearest post!

Mike Jones6 March 2025 19:29

Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd

81 mins: Casemiro tries to free Dorgu on the counter attack but overhits his pass and the ball bounces out of play.

The penalty decision has taken the sting out of United who need to get their edge back.

Mike Jones6 March 2025 19:26

Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd

78 mins: Save!

Mendez takes a shot from range and strikes it well. The ball is curling in at the far post but Onana leaps to the right and pushes it wide of the target.

Christian Eriksen comes on to replace Alejandro Garnacho before the corner is taken.

Mike Jones6 March 2025 19:22

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