Manchester United had to choose a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad in their Europa League round of the first game after Bruno Fernandes gave a handball penalty.
Mikel Oyarzabal, the goal scorer who broke the hearts of England in the euro final against Spain, returned from the country with the remaining 20 minutes as the game returned to her head after Joshua Zirczee had given United a well -deserved lead in the second half.
The Europa League or Bust for United this season and they responded well to pressure, producing one of their best shows under Ruben Amorim, and will feel disappointed that they did not get a lead in Manchester as the main chances were missing.
Bruno Fernandes donated a late penalty to Spain
United could have led two in the first half only after Fernandes saw a line cleaned from the line and Diogo Dalot failed to square the ball in Rasmus Hoylund in the six yard box. The attacker, now saw a goal in 19 games, was rightly enraged with the arm.
Zirczee was assisted by Alex Remiro’s hopeless goalkeeper for the opening. His softened strike from the edge of the box was almost toward the middle, but the stop struck by Sociedad was out of position and was unable to make up the lost land.
Fernandes felt upset that Sociedad had given a street back to the game with 20 minutes to go, but his arm made contact with the ball while competing for a head inside the box and made the right decision.
Oyarzabal’s conviction was Sociedad’s first shot in the game, underlining dominance United at that stage. But they could have lost it late, as Andre Onana was forced to be in a smart state and Orri Oskarson lost a big chance from the bench.
The perfect amorim record in this competition ends, but he can get a confidence by going to the second match of the next Thursday after his team produced improved performance and caused problems for Sociedad.
Amorim: the punishment changed the momentum
Utd chief Ruben amorim Talking about TNT Sports after the game:
“Until the penalty, we had control of the game and then the penalty changed the momentum.
“In the last 30 minutes, we were really tired and you could feel it in the game.
“So we bring it to Old Trafford and will be another game. The pressure will be with us at that stadium and we have to be ready.
“Theelli will be physically survived for Sunday (against arsenal) and ready and fresh for Thursday.”
Zirczee: We must be ruthless with our chances
Man Utd Forward Joshua Zirczee talking about TNT Sports:
“We were unlucky with a penalty, I’m not sure what happened there.
“This shows that we have to be ruthless with our chances, we had plenty of them today.
“After all, it’s a draw. They have to come to Old Trafford.”
Asked if he felt that United deserved more from the game, Zirczee added: “If you look at the chances I think yes.
“We were obviously playing against a good team, so it’s not easy, but we had to have at least one (goal).”
Chief of Sociedad: We are still alive in the tie
Real Sociedad chief Sheriff imanol said:
“We are very happy with the way we competed during the match. We are still alive. We know it will be difficult, but we have a lot of excitement.”
