Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted a penalty to secure a 1-1 draw against Manchester United in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash on Thursday.
The Red Devils are enduring a dismal season, with winning the competition their only realistic route to Champions League football.
However, they failed to hold onto their lead in San Sebastián.
Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee netted his first goal in five games to put Ruben Amorim’s side ahead at the Reale Arena just before the hour mark.
But Bruno Fernandes conceded a penalty for handball, allowing Oyarzabal to equalise in the 70th minute.
The hosts nearly snatched a late winner, but Orri Oskarsson twice failed to convert his chances, leaving the tie finely poised ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford next Thursday.
“It’s a shame about those chances we missed at the end, but the tie is open. We’re going there alive, with a lot of desire,” said Oyarzabal.
“Until we scored, it was difficult for us to create chances, although I don’t think we suffered too much defensively either.”
Amorim had only 18 players available due to an injury crisis, with Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte joining the likes of Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, and Luke Shaw on the sidelines.
Up front, the Portuguese coach started Rasmus Højlund, who extended his goalless run to 19 matches, while strike partner Zirkzee now has two goals in his last 17 games.
Amorim said on Wednesday that winning the competition was not “crucial” but suggested it could help salvage a disastrous season, with the club currently 14th in the Premier League and already eliminated from other cup competitions.
The first half was a drab affair, with neither side attacking with confidence or conviction, although the Premier League side created the better chances.
Real Sociedad defender Aritz Elustondo blocked shots from Fernandes and Zirkzee as United edged the first 45 minutes in San Sebastián.
The Basque side has also endured a tough domestic campaign, sitting ninth in La Liga, but with the Europa League final set to be played at the home of their rivals, Athletic Bilbao, they are eager to lift the trophy at San Mamés.
Imanol Alguacil was able to recall Takefusa Kubo, Oyarzabal, and Luka Sučić after suspension and injury ruled them out of last weekend’s 4-0 defeat by Barcelona. However, La Real struggled in the absence of injured midfield conductor Martín Zubimendi.
Increased Tempo
Fernandes sent a free-kick wide as United began the second half with more urgency, and Alejandro Garnacho fired into the side-netting from a promising position.
The visitors broke the deadlock after 58 minutes when Zirkzee bundled home from Garnacho’s pass across the area, with Real Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro unable to keep his effort out.
Brais Méndez fired wide from long range with the Basque side’s first dangerous attempt midway through the second half.
A few minutes later, Real Sociedad won a penalty when United captain Fernandes was penalised for handling the ball while attempting to clear a corner.
Oyarzabal, who scored Spain’s winning goal in the Euro 2024 final against England, confidently dispatched the penalty, sending Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana the wrong way with his side’s first shot on target.
The Cameroon international then made a fine save from Méndez’s curling effort as La Real grew into the game.
Oskarsson should have secured victory for Real Sociedad but poked a clear chance wide before seeing another effort well saved by Onana in the final moments.
The winner of the tie will face either French side Lyon or Romanian outfit FCSB in the quarter-finals.
AFP
