Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw away to Real Sociedad in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie.
The Red Devils went in front shortly before the hour mark through Joshua Zirkzee’s first-time finish but were pegged back by Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty, awarded after a VAR review of a Bruno Fernandes handball.
Substitute Orri Oskarsson had two big chances towards the end to give Imanol Alguacil’s side an advantage heading into the return fixture at Old Trafford, but he missed the first with an errant finish and was denied by a fine Andre Onana save in the closing moments.
United will be pleased with the result and performance given they largely controlled the game for the first 70 minutes, while injuries left them with just two senior outfield players on the bench, but Ruben Amorim will doubtless be frustrated that his team did not make more of their own opportunities.
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Rasmus Hojlund berated Diogo Dalot in the first half when the wingback refused to play an obvious low cross that would have presented the striker with a point-blank finish, but a better cut-back from Dalot led to a scramble in the box in which Aritz Elustondo and goalkeeper Alex Remiro somehow kept the ball out of the net.
Sociedad barely threatened in the first half thanks in part to one of United’s most assured performances in recent weeks, and the visitors were good value for their lead after Alejandro Garnacho, who wasted a few good openings, played a good low pass that was finished first time by Zirkzee.
Yet United’s lead lasted only 13 minutes, Oyarzabal levelling from the spot after Fernandes was a little unfortunate to be penalised for blocking an attempted header with a raised arm as he jumped.
Oskarsson somehow skewed wide with the goal gaping and was then denied by Onana, meaning there is all to play for in next Thursday’s second leg.
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Real Sociedad vs. Man United final score
| Fulltime | Goal scorers | |
| Real Sociedad | 1 | Oyarzabal (p) 70′ |
| Man United | 1 | Zirkzee 57′ |
Starting lineups:
Real Sociedad (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Alex Remiro (GK) — 6. Aritz Elustondo (19. Jon Aramburu), 21. Nayef Aguerd, 5. Igor Zubeldia, 3. Aihen Munoz — 24. Luka Sucic (16. Jon Ander Olasagasti), 22. Benat Turrientes (28. Pablo Marin), 23. Brais Mendez — 14. Takefusa Kubo (11. Sheraldo Becker), 10. Mikel Oyarzabal, 7. Ander Barrenetxea (9. Orri Oskarsson)
Man United (3-4-2-1, right to left): 24. Andre Onana (GK) — 3. Noussair Mazraoui, 4. Matthijs de Ligt, 15. Leny Yoro (2. Victor Lindelof) — 20. Diogo Dalot, 18. Casemiro, 8. Bruno Fernandes, 13. Patrick Dorgu — 11. Joshua Zirkzee (43. Toby Collyer), 17. Alejandro Garnacho (14. Christian Eriksen) — 9. Rasmus Hojlund
Real Sociedad vs. Man United highlights, key events
70 mins: EQUALISER FOR REAL SOCIEDAD! Captain Mikel Oyarzabal makes no mistake, sending Andre Onana the wrong way from the spot. Bruno Fernandes was penalised for handball after a VAR check.
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57 mins: GOAL FOR JOSHUA ZIRKZEE! It’s a fine first-time finish from the edge of the box from Alejandro Garnacho’s cut-back, although goalkeeper Alex Remiro may feel he could have done better.
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Real Sociedad vs. Man United stats
| Real Sociedad | Stat | Man United |
| 13 | Shots | 13 |
| 3 | Shots on target | 5 |
| 1.50 | Expected goals | 0.98 |
| 56% | Possession | 44% |
| 446 | Passes | 371 |
| 6 | Corners | 2 |
| 11 | Fouls | 13 |
| 1 | Yellow cards | 1 |
| 2 | Offsides | 2 |
Real Sociedad vs. Man United lineups, team news
Takefusa Kubo was banned for the loss to Barca but returns to the lineup here. Mikel Oyarzabal and Luka Sucic both trained on Monday and are also in the XI, while fit-again Hamari Traore, who came off the bench last weekend after around six months out with a knee injury, is in the squad.
Nayef Aguerd also returns in defence, but midfielder Martin Zubimendi is not risked. Aritz Elustondo starts at right-back ahead of Jon Aramburu.
Real Sociedad lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Remiro (GK) — Elustondo, Aguerd, Zubeldia, Munoz — Sucic, Turrientes, Mendez — Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea
Real Sociedad subs: Marrero, Oskarsson, Becker, Lopez, Olasagasti, Gomez, Traore, Aramburu, Marin, Martin, Beitia, Mariezkurrena
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United have Patrick Dorgu available, the wingback having missed the Fulham game due to a domestic suspension, but that’s where the good news ends for Amorim.
Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte suffered a knock in that game at Old Trafford and are out of the game in San Sebastian, with neither having trained on Wednesday before the flight to Spain. With fellow defenders Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans also out, the back line is potentially looking threadbare, although Matthijs de Ligt is fit after shaking off a minor injury concern.
Toby Collyer is available for the bench, but Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo are still out, as is long-term absentee Mason Mount. Young defender Ayden Heaven can play in the Europa League, but teenage striker Chido Obi is not eligible for the competition.
Such is the extent of United’s injury problems that Amorim has named just seven substitutes for this game, two of which are academy goalkeepers.
Man United lineup (3-4-2-1, right to left): Onana (GK) — Mazraoui, De Ligt, Yoro — Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu — Zirkzee, Garnacho — Hojlund
Man United subs: Mee, Harrison, Lindelof, Eriksen, Heaven, Amass, Collyer
Real Sociedad vs. Man United live stream, TV channel
