Real Sociedad 1-1 Manchester United
Goals: Oyarzabal (P) 70′; Zirkzee 57′
Ruben Amorim, the newly appointed coach, has continuously emphasized that the Europa League title is not his primary focus amid his ambitious restoration project. His vision revolves around a distinctive style of play, yet he is acutely aware of the financial implications of a successful campaign. Reaching the Champions League would inject over £100 million into the club’s coffers—an essential boost for a team that currently operates on a shoestring budget, even resorting to reusing tea bags and cutting down on staff lunches, all while trying to avoid redundancies. Unlike their rivals Manchester City, who can generate vast sums from surplus squad players, United’s impending departures this summer will leave the club with little to show in terms of transfer fees.
Perhaps Amorim aimed to alleviate pressure from his beleaguered squad before they ventured to the Basque Country to face Real Sociedad. Supporters exploring the charming cervecerías and tabernas in the picturesque San Sebastian old town had modest expectations for the match, with many acknowledging this could be their last European outing for quite some time. The atmosphere leading up to the game felt subdued, with the Spanish sports newspaper Marca humorously suggesting that the buzz felt more akin to a Southampton match than a clash against the illustrious Manchester United.
In a region renowned for its exquisite gastronomy, the first half inside the Anoeta Stadium was a culinary disappointment. The hosts, having lost three out of their last five matches across all competitions, mirrored United’s struggles with errant passing and a troubling lack of creativity. The only noteworthy moment came when Bruno Fernandes had his shot blocked, with Joshua Zirkzee narrowly missing the rebound.
United’s first-half struggles have become a growing concern, marking 20 consecutive games without a first-half goal under Amorim’s leadership. The second half, however, was a revelation. United emerged from the locker room as a rejuvenated force, showcasing the attacking intent that had been sorely missing.
As often happens, poor finishing and decision-making in the final third thwarted their efforts against a Sociedad side that appeared vulnerable. Zirkzee finally broke the deadlock, capitalizing on a mistake from the Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro to score his second goal since mid-December. Despite opportunities for a second goal—most notably from Alejandro Garnacho, who struck the side-netting twice—United’s profligacy loomed large.
Then came a pivotal moment. A corner for Sociedad that seemed to lack danger turned into a penalty when Bruno Fernandes was penalized for handball after a VAR review. Mikel Oyarzabal, who had previously dashed English hopes in the Euro 2024 final, stepped up and converted from the spot, marking Sociedad’s first shot on target in the entire match.
It would have been classic United to crumble under pressure and allow the hosts to secure a comeback. Sociedad’s Orri Oskarsson squandered a golden opportunity to add to Amorim’s woes, missing a close-range chance, while Andre Onana saved United with a crucial stop in stoppage time.
“The pressure will be on us in our stadium,” Amorim remarked post-match. “We need to stay prepared and fresh. We are creating chances, but sometimes they don’t reflect in the xG because we fail to shoot. The great opportunities are there, and that needs to improve.”
The performance during the 20 minutes of the second half was a step in the right direction. However, more consistent displays like that will be essential if United hopes to salvage what has been a challenging season.
