Manchester United fans were left furious Real Sociedad's Igor Zubeldia avoided a red card in their Europa League clash after he hauled down Bruno Fernandes
19:20, 06 Mar 2025
Manchester United fans were left furious on Thursday evening.
The Red Devils had come out of a snoozefest of a first half against Spanish side Real Sociedad when they believed Igor Zubeldia hauled down Rasmus Hojlund.
Ruben Amorim's side were on the counter-attack when Hojlund's shirt was pulled by the defender with the Dane seemingly through on goal. Zubeldia was brandished with a yellow card - but some fans believed the punishment should have been harsher.
And so too did Bruno Fernandes, who demanded Zubeldia be handed his marching orders for denying a goal scoring opportunity.
"Can he get a red card for denial of a clear goal scoring opportunity," one fan fumed. While a second said: "Referee refusing to play an advantage there, stopping play to give United a free-kick and book Zubeldia. Typical referees in European competition..."
Bruno Fernandes was also fuming(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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"That's such an obvious red card," a third fumed. And a Reala fan added: "Zubeldia is a danger to us. He is not physically fit!"
United would soon take the lead through Joshua Zirkzee, after a lovely ball was pulled back to the Dutchman who guided it home from the edge of the box.
"Manchester United look more dangerous," Michael Brown said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
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"A brilliant strike, it looked like Man Utd were getting better. The goalkeeper gambles to his left-hand-side. Joshua Zirkzee right footed into the corner, it is clean and maybe the goalkeeper should do better.
"Exactly what United needed!"