Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United applauds the fans with his team-mates at the end of the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Sociedad de Futbol and Manchester United at Reale Arena on March 6, 2025 in San Sebastian, Spain.Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United applauds the fans with his team-mates at the end of the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Sociedad de Futbol and Manchester United at Reale Arena on March 6, 2025 in San Sebastian, Spain.
Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United applauds the fans with his team-mates at the end of the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Sociedad de Futbol and Manchester United at Reale Arena on March 6, 2025 in San Sebastian, Spain. | Manchester United via Getty Imag
Manchester United drew 1-1 at Real Sociedad on Thursday night
Manchester United picked up a draw in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie with Real Sociedad as they prepare for back-to-back games at Old Trafford. Ruben Amorim’s side welcome Arsenal to Manchester on Sunday afternoon with the historic rivals sitting well apart in the Premier League table.
The Gunners will be out to keep their slim hopes of winning the title alive. They are 13 points behind Liverpool ahead of the weekend but have played a game fewer and have the chance to reduce that gap next weekend when the Reds are in the Carabao Cup final. Mikel Arteta’s side hammered PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the Champions League in midweek to all-but book their spot in the last eight of the competition.
It means Arteta will likely to be able to name a strong team at Old Trafford as he does not need to consider resting players for their second leg, while for United Amorim may opt to rest some key players with the Europa League the Red Devils’ last shot at silverware this campaign.
Zirkzee praised and Hojlund criticised
Joshua Zirkzee scored for United in Spain as he netted just before the hour mark. Mikel Oyarzabal equalised from the penalty spot 13 minutes later, however. Zirkzee bounced back in style after a costly penalty miss the shootout loss to Fulham in the FA Cup last week.
TalkSPORT journalist Alex Crook hailed the forward for his strength of character as he also pointed to the player’s response after being booed off the pitch against Newcastle United in December. The reporter did have some choice words for his teammate Rasmus Hojlund, however.
Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast with Alan Brazil & Ray Parlour on Friday, Crook said: “What I like about Zirzkee is that when he has a set-back - like he he was booed off against Newcastle and missed a penalty at the weekend - I think he has got great character with the way he bounces back. Whereas Hojlund is now 19 games without scoring, and he - to me - is hiding. He attaches himself to defenders, almost like he doesn’t want the ball.”
Amorim disagrees
United boss Amorim praised Hojlund for his work ethic against Sociedad, with his comments refuting any suggestions that the striker is not giving his all. Amorim said: “He's trying really hard. He gave everything. He makes the runs.
“We know that he also has [to play against] a high line and he uses this space to win, to fight. The other things are going to appear in the right moment. He has to continue to play, not be anxious in that position. He did a great run to win the position. Sometimes the ball comes, sometimes it doesn’t. So he needs to think in the best way, in this case, in the next game.”
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