By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 20:01 GMT, 6 March 2025 | Updated: 20:01 GMT, 6 March 2025
Manchester United settled for a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday.
United led on Joshua Zirkzee's goal in the 58th minute but the hosts equalized 12 minutes later after Bruno Fernandez´s hand ball. Mikel Oyarzabal sent Andre Onana the wrong way from the penalty spot.
The Europa League could be a way for United to finish the season with a trophy after [crashing out of the FA Cup](https://apnews.com/article/man-united-fulham-fa-cup-brighton-welbeck-5b34138876ed6ec901837081e90be41f) on Sunday.
A spot in the Europa League quarterfinals will be on the line at Old Trafford in the second leg next Thursday.
Tottenham, also struggling in the Premier League, lost 1-0 at AZ Alkmaar.
Lucas Bergvall netted an own goal following the first corner kick of the game after former Spurs striker Troy Parrott´s attempt across the goal.
Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee, right, challenges for the ball with Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo during the Europa League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Real Sociedad and Manchester United at the Reale Arena in San Sebastian, Spain, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)
Tottenham had beaten the Dutch team 1-0 in the league phase at home in October.
Rangers took a big step toward the quarterfinals by stunning José Mourinho´s Fenerbahce 3-1 in Istanbul.
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Manchester United players celebrate after Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee scored his side's opening goal during the Europa League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Real Sociedad and Manchester United at the Reale Arena in San Sebastian, Spain, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)
Manchester United's Casemiro, right, reacts during the Europa League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Real Sociedad and Manchester United at the Reale Arena in San Sebastian, Spain, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)
Real Sociedad's Mikel Oyarzabal celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Europa League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Real Sociedad and Manchester United at the Reale Arena in San Sebastian, Spain, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)
Real Sociedad players celebrate after Real Sociedad's Mikel Oyarzabal scored his side's opening goal during the Europa League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Real Sociedad and Manchester United at the Reale Arena in San Sebastian, Spain, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)
AZ Alkmaar's players celebrate after Tottenham's Lucas Bergvall scores an own goal during the Europa League round of 16 first leg soccer match between AZ Alkmaar and Tottenham Hotspur at the AFAS Stadium, in Alkmaar, Netherlands, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)
AZ Alkmaar's Jordy Clasie, left, jumps for the ball with Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur during the Europa League round of 16 first leg soccer match between AZ Alkmaar and Tottenham Hotspur at the AFAS Stadium, in Alkmaar, Netherlands, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)
Tottenham's Son Heung-min, left, challenges for the ball with AZ Alkmaar's Wouter Goes during the Europa League round of 16 first leg match between AZ and Tottenham at AFAS Stadium, in Alkmaar, in Alkmaar, Netherlands , Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)
Tottenham's Djed Spence gestures during the Europa League round of 16 first leg match between AZ and Tottenham at AFAS Stadium, in Alkmaar, in Alkmaar, Netherlands , Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)
Tottenham's Lucas Bergvall, right, challenges for the ball with AZ Alkmaar's Zico Buurmeester during the Europa League round of 16 first leg match between AZ and Tottenham at AFAS Stadium, in Alkmaar, in Alkmaar, Netherlands, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)
Rangers' Cyriel Dessers celebrates after scoring a goal, which was disallowed during the Europa League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Fenerbahce and Rangers at Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Rangers' Cyriel Dessers celebrates after scoring his side's second goal, which was disallowed during the Europa League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Fenerbahce and Rangers at Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Rangers' goalkeeper Jack Butland makes a save during the Europa League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Fenerbahce and Rangers at Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Rangers' Cyriel Dessers, left, fights for the ball with Fenerbahce's Alexander Djiku during the Europa League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Fenerbahce and Rangers at Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Rangers' Cyriel Dessers, center, attempts a shot at goal in front of Fenerbahce's Mert Muldur during the Europa League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Fenerbahce and Rangers at Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)