Manchester United will hope that home advantage pays off after claiming a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad on Thursday evening.
Manchester United’s FA Cup defeat to Fulham had to be put to one side as the Europa League became the full focus.
United headed off to San Sebastian to take on Real Sociedad in the last 16 of the Europa League.
Ruben Amorim watched on as United struggled to find the opener with Diogo Dalot passing up a golden chance to tee up Rasmus Hojlund.
The goal did arrive in the second half though as Joshua Zirkzee fired home from Alejandro Garnacho’s pass.
United couldn’t see the game out though and ended up conceding through a penalty as Bruno Fernandes was penalised for handball, allowing Mikel Oyarzabal to score.
Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP via Getty Images
Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP via Getty Images
Rene Meulensteen on Manchester United
United looked in complete control at 1-0 and really could and should have put the game away.
Instead, Real Sociedad grabbed the leveller and started to look the more threatening side, leaving United to settle for a draw.
More United News
United need to put this tie away at Old Trafford or will be made to regret passing up a great opportunity in Spain.
Rene Meulensteen – United’s first-team coach for six years under Sir Alex Ferguson – has offered a damning verdict on United’s situation right now.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Meulensteen suggested that United have simply been in ‘constant decline’ ever since Ferguson left the club.
Meulensteen feels that United are in utter ‘unrest’ both on and off the pitch, seemingly unimpressed with Thursday’s performance.
The Dutchman also told BBC Sport that United need to win the Europa League or this would go down as a ‘totally disastrous’ season.
“Manchester United has not been Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson left. It has been a constant decline. Not only that, but there’s so many other things from Man Utd that causes uproar,” said Meulensteen.
“It is a club in unrest – on and off the pitch.
“The Europa League is the only thing going for Manchester United. It is so important for them as that’s the way back into the Champions League.
“If that happens you win a trophy. Does it paint over cracks? Yes. If that falls away it is a totally disastrous season,” he added.
The Europa League is United’s last hope
United don’t have all that much to play for in the final stages of the season.
Ruben Amorim’s side sit 14th in the Premier League table so there will be no push for European football.
United are out of the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, so the only thing left to play for is the Europa League.
Winning the competition would give United a route into the Champions League, which would be a huge boost to the club’s finances.
Amorim has played down the importance of the Europa League but United fans will be looking for a crumb of success in a difficult season.
This is United’s last hope and Amorim must get the job done in the second leg – or see United’s season fizzle out.