Latest Manchester United news as Ruben Amorim's side come away from Spain as favourites to qualify for the Europa League quarter-final
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Bruno Fernandes
Man United drew 1-1 with Real Sociedad in the first-leg of the Europa League last 16
(Image: PA)
Manchester United continued their unbeaten run in Europe this season with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with La Liga side Real Sociedad to leave all to play for next week.
Joshua Zirkzee scored his first goal in the Europa League for United in the second-half before Spain international Mikel Oyarzabal levelled from the spot.
Brais Mendez and Orri Oskarsson both came close to snatching a winner for Sociedad but Andre Onana was on hand to keep the score level. Ruben Amorim claimed after the game that his side were anxious to 'score goals', something that must vanish for next week.
Here, The Manchester Evening News takes a look at the reaction from the media...
'Frozen by fear'
Paul Hirst of The Times wrote: "Given that he was without 11 players because of injury or ineligibility, Amorim was happy enough to secure a draw in a match that was devoid of quality.
"Sociedad had selection problems too. Martín Zubimendi, the Arsenal-bound midfielder, was ruled out through illness a few hours before kick-off. Imanol Alguacil had hoped the Spain player would be able to cut off the supply line between United’s midfield and attack.
"After watching United in the opening stages, Alguacil’s fears eased. By the 20th minute Onana, Casemiro and Fernandes had already put the ball out of play trying to find a team -mate. Onana was warned for time-wasting in the 18th minute, underlining United’s lack of attacking intent.
"Long passes from deep rained down on the home defence. Some were easily gobbled up, others found their way through, like Mazraoui’s lofted effort, which sent Dalot free, but his dallying allowed the hosts to regroup and Dorgu could not salvage the attack."
"Not a bad result"
Sid Lowe of The Guardian wrote: "Ultimately, a 1-1 draw is not a bad result for United, and Onana’s sensational save from Orri Óskarsson ensured that they return to Old Trafford level but frustrated.
"The manager talked of United’s “anxiousness” to score here, a mental block that needs to be broken, and there is tiredness to deal with too. That, Amorim said, was increasingly evident in the final minutes when his side looked overrun.
"Beyond that there is something deeper, more basic. The game began with United’s players waiting for a long punt in their rough direction, and for much of the opening period that felt like it had set the tone. Soon after, Fernandes looked up, appealed for some movement and struck a long diagonal out of play, which did too. The game was cautious and imprecise.
"That Real Sociedad had more possession with little threat at least offered United space into which to run, seen when Noussair Mazraoui released Diogo Dalot. Rasmus Højlund was screaming for it, first time, inside the area but instead Dalot slowed, turned back and went to Garnacho. The chance was lost and the move concluded with Patrick Dorgu slicing over, while Højlund justifiably made his displeasure very visible."
A frustrated Rasmus Hojlund
A frustrated Rasmus Hojlund(Image: Jose Breton/NurPhoto)
"Nothing is straightforward"
Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail wrote: "At least this desperate season is still alive. At least United can still end it with a trophy and automatic qualification for the Champions League.
"Of the 72 teams who entered Europe’s top two competitions this season, they remain the only unbeaten one after a hard-fought draw at the Reale Arena. United will be favourites to progress to the quarter-finals when Real Sociedad come to Old Trafford next week.
"That’s the good news. ‘Could be better, could be worse,’ was Amorim’s assessment of a difficult night and that just about summed it up.
"But nothing is straightforward with United these days, it seems. A Sociedad side that have failed to score in 12 of their 26 La Liga games this season barely laid a glove on them until they were awarded an unnecessary penalty."
'By the letter of the law'
Anantaajith Raghuraman of The Athletic wrote: "Real Sociedad were handed a way back into the match in the 67th minute from an extremely innocuous situation.
"Takefusa Kubo’s corner was cleared by a combination of Fernandes and Matthijs de Ligt before Garnacho was fouled while going after the ball up the pitch. Referee Ivan Kruzliak was informed that VAR were checking for a penalty, though there was little immediate clarity on what it was for, given no Real Sociedad player had appealed.
"After a quick conversation, Kruzliak signalled that he would be taking a look at the incident for himself, an ominous sign for United. The replay showed that as Nayef Aguerd attacked the ball in the box, Fernandes competed with him in the air and the ball ricocheted off his arm, which was close to his face as he jumped up to contest the header.
"As the arm was in an unnatural position, La Real were awarded a penalty and Mikel Oyarzabal sent Onana the wrong way to score with the hosts’ first shot on target.
"Could Fernandes have done anything differently? Many will argue — as Robbie Savage did on TNT’s coverage in the UK — that the hand being that high was unavoidable given Fernandes was jumping.
"However, by the letter of the law, particularly in European competitions, it is a penalty, even if the inconsistencies within the law are another story altogether."
'Feel confident'
Gary Rose of BBC Sport: "Despite the disappointment of conceding an equaliser, Manchester United will feel confident of progressing to the quarter-finals on home soil.
"But the pressure will be on them as they look to keep alive their sole route to trophy success this season, with last Sunday's penalty shootout loss to Fulham in the FA Cup ending their hopes of any domestic glory.
"While there is no hiding the fact this campaign has been a hugely disappointing one, the Europa League has been the one shining light for Manchester United.
"They have not lost a game in Europe this season, recording five wins and four draws, while only Galatasaray (19), Lazio and Tottenham Hotspur (both 17) scored more goals than their 16 in the League Phase.
"This was an unusual encounter in which they looked so comfortable for so long, but could easily have succumbed to defeat, with Real Sociedad's penalty changing the momentum of the game.
"And should Real Sociedad go out in a week's time then Oskarsson will no doubt rue his late opportunities in this game.
"It was a good save by Onana to deny his strike from a narrow angle in added time, but the Icelandic forward should really have put away his big chance a few minutes earlier, when he toe-poked wide from six yards when in the middle of the goal."