Joshua Zirkzee netted his first European goal for Manchester United, but the Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Sociedad in their Europa League last-16 first leg, leaving the tie finely poised.
The Dutch forward gave United the lead 12 minutes into the second half with a precise low strike from the edge of the box that caught goalkeeper Alex Remiro off guard.
However, Real Sociedad equalized through a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty, awarded after a VAR review for a handball by Bruno Fernandes.
Despite dominating for much of the game, United will be frustrated not to have secured a win. Goalkeeper Andre Onana had little to do until the penalty but made key saves late on to deny Real Sociedad’s resurgence.
Fernandes came close to scoring in the first half, with a goal-bound shot cleared off the line by Aritz Elustondo and a free-kick narrowly missing the target.
Real Sociedad gained momentum after their equalizer, forcing Onana to stop Brais Mendez’s curling effort and denying Orri Oskarsson twice, including a vital save deep into injury time.
Speaking after the game, United manager Ruben Amorim said, “One thing I am sure of is that they’re anxious to score goals and win games. They’re doing their best, but sometimes the decision-making in key moments isn’t right.”
The second leg is set for Thursday, 13 March, at Old Trafford, where United will look to finish the job.
Trophy hopes remain alive for Man Utd
Despite the disappointment of conceding an equaliser, Manchester United will feel confident of progressing to the quarter-finals on home soil.
But the pressure will be on them as they look to keep alive their sole route to trophy success this season, with last Sunday’s penalty shootout loss to Fulham in the FA Cup ending their hopes of any domestic glory.
While there is no hiding the fact this campaign has been a hugely disappointing one, the Europa League has been the one shining light for Manchester United.
They have not lost a game in Europe this season, recording five wins and four draws, while only Galatasaray (19), Lazio and Tottenham Hotspur (both 17) scored more goals than their 16 in the League Phase.
This was an unusual encounter in which they looked so comfortable for so long, but could easily have succumbed to defeat, with Real Sociedad’s penalty changing the momentum of the game.
And should Real Sociedad go out in a week’s time then Oskarsson will no doubt rue his late opportunities in this game.
It was a good save by Onana to deny his strike from a narrow angle in added time, but the Icelandic forward should really have put away his big chance a few minutes earlier, when he toe-poked wide from six yards when in the middle of the goal.