S Poddar
Joshua Zirkzee was instrumental in guiding Manchester United to a gritty 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie. It was one evening that would have gone down a different path were it not for two dramatic moments—one for Bruno Fernandes and the other for André Onana.
United took the lead when Zirkzee expertly placed a side-footed effort beyond Alex Remiro, putting them in a strong position to secure a vital away victory. However, a crucial intervention from VAR brought Real Sociedad back into the contest, leading to Mikel Oyarzabal’s equalizer from the penalty spot with just 20 minutes remaining. In the dying seconds, the Spanish side almost grabbed a victory, only to be thwarted by an unbelievable save from Onana, to see United return to Old Trafford level.
A draw away from home is never the worst thing, but there was a nagging frustration lingering. Onana’s heroics to deny Orri Óskarsson’s late effort avoided a defeat, but there were obvious indications that United still have issues with finishing. “It could be better, it could be worse,” was Ruben Amorim’s philosophical take on the game, one in which his side hinted at the quality they possess but also their recurring inability in front of goal.
The largest problem is still United not being clinical when it counts most. “It is obvious that we need to be more clinical,” Amorim conceded. “We are making chances. Occasionally you do not see that within the xG because we work not to shoot.”. Occasionally, though, we miss out.” He stressed an air of urgency that seemed to weigh the players down, describing a psychological barrier that hindered them from seizing moments that would make the difference. The effect of exhaustion was also apparent, as Amorim described how his men were progressively sluggish in their progress as the game unfolded.
Since the very start, United’s tactic had been risk-averse, resorting repeatedly to long passes downfield. There were early indications of frustration when Fernandes, with no one in front of him, played a diagonal pass that went out of play. Real Sociedad dominated possession but were short of a cutting edge, and when Beñat Turrientes shot weakly wide, it encapsulated the early stages. Even the referee, Ivan Kruzliak, appeared to acknowledge the slowness, waving on Onana to hurry up the game only 18 minutes in.
United did get chances to take advantage of the space behind Sociedad, however. One such occasion arose when Noussair Mazraoui sent Diogo Dalot down the right wing. Rasmus Højlund took a clever run into the box, calling for the ball first-time, but Dalot dawdled, instead passing to Alejandro Garnacho. The hesitation gave Sociedad’s defense time to reorganize, and Patrick Dorgu eventually lashed high over the bar. Højlund’s frustration was clear. “The choice was not the best,” Amorim said. “The key is to go on [and] not still be struggling.”
As the match went on, United’s attacks became more organized. A well-weighted pass from Dalot picked out Fernandes, whose effort was blocked. Zirkzee responded quickly but was saved by Remiro with his first attempt, and saw his second trickle wide. It was an instant of mayhem that encapsulated United’s night—almost, but not quite clinical. Amorim’s previous words proved to be true: “There are things that are hard to explain. Sometimes it’s luck.”
A promising spell followed as United were starting to fashion more open opportunities. Dalot produced a threatening cross that Garnacho could only find side netting with. Shortly after, Fernandes played in Garnacho once again, but the winger somehow missed the target. But then, in an expert move, Dalot jinked past his man and played Garnacho in, who brought several defenders into play before playing the ball to Zirkzee. The Dutch forward coolly chipped the ball through Turrientes’s legs and past Remiro to put United in front.
Their lead should have been doubled soon after, Garnacho again being denied by the side netting. “We were in control. We were so close to scoring the second, you could sense the stadium was anxious,” Amorim said. But the penalty altered it.” The turning point arrived in the 70th minute when Fernandes, in an aerial battle with Nayef Aguerd, accidentally stretched out his arm. Initially went unnoticed, the play was picked up by VAR and resulted in Oyarzabal coming forward and calmly slotting home from the spot. It was Sociedad’s first on-target shot, but it instantly turned the game around.
With fresh vigor, Sociedad marched on, buoyed by substitutes Becker and Óskarsson. Onana was left with no option but to move into action, producing a stunning save to deny Méndez from range. Becker then laid on a magnificent cross for Óskarsson, who, six yards out, could only direct his attempt wide. The pressure mounted as Sociedad charged forward again, with Matthijs de Ligt scraping a threatening attack clear.
The last, and maybe most dramatic, moment arrived in the 93rd minute. Oyarzabal selected Óskarsson again, this time with an excellently weighted pass which should have concluded a Sociedad win. Yet Onana made a miraculous reflex save, sprawling out his left hand to keep the goal at bay and leave United in the tie.
Though a 1-1 scoreline provides United with a good stage for the second leg, the display left doubts lingering. The finishing issues, the hesitation on the field, and the late defensive vulnerability all indicate areas to work on prior to welcoming Sociedad to Old Trafford. For the time being, however, Onana’s heroics mean United’s European quest is still very much in their control.
