San Sebastian: Real Sociedad and Manchester United played out a tense 1-1 draw in their UEFA Europa League 2024-25 Round of 16 first-leg clash at the Reale Arena on Thursday night.
The result leaves the tie finely poised ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford, with both sides having everything to play for in their quest for a spot in the quarterfinals.
🔥 Match Summary: Sociedad’s Penalty Cancels Out United’s Opener
Manchester United struck first through Rasmus Højlund in the 27th minute, calmly slotting home after a well-worked move initiated by Bruno Fernandes. The goal gave United a much-needed early boost, especially given their recent injury woes.
However, Real Sociedad responded in the 64th minute when captain Mikel Oyarzabal confidently converted a penalty after a clumsy foul by Diogo Dalot. The Spanish forward sent United keeper André Onana the wrong way, ensuring the hosts left with a deserved draw.
🚑 Injury Crisis Hits Manchester United
Ruben Amorim faced a serious squad headache, with Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte joining a growing injury list that already included key players like:
- Amad Diallo
- Kobbie Mainoo
- Luke Shaw
The absences forced Amorim to name just 18 players for the fixture, limiting his options off the bench.
📊 Key Moments
- 🥅 27’ — Goal! Rasmus Højlund (Manchester United): A clever pass from Bruno Fernandes found Højlund, who took a composed touch before firing past Sociedad’s goalkeeper, Alex Remiro.
- ❌ 41’ — Sociedad’s Near Miss: Ander Barrenetxea almost equalized with a curling effort from distance, but Onana produced a fine save.
- ⚽ 64’ — Goal! Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad): The captain converted a spot-kick, bringing Sociedad level after Dalot’s foul inside the box.
- 🚀 82’ — Rashford’s Missed Chance: Marcus Rashford squandered a late opportunity to snatch the win, blasting a close-range shot over the bar.
🏟️ Post-Match Reactions
Ruben Amorim (Manchester United Head Coach):
“Given the injuries, I’m proud of how we fought tonight. We have to be sharper in the second leg at Old Trafford.”
Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad Captain):
“It’s a good result, but we know the challenge at Old Trafford will be huge. We must stay focused.”
📈 What’s Next?
The two sides will meet again for the decisive second leg on March 14, 2025, at Old Trafford. With the tie hanging in the balance, Manchester United will hope to capitalize on home advantage — but Sociedad has proven they’re more than capable of springing a surprise.
🔥 Match Stats
| Stats | Real Sociedad | Manchester United |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 54% | 46% |
| Shots (on target) | 11 (4) | 9 (3) |
| Corners | 5 | 4 |
| Fouls | 12 | 15 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 3 |
🌟 Conclusion: All to Play for at Old Trafford
The 1-1 draw sets up a thrilling second leg, with both Real Sociedad and Manchester United knowing that only a win will guarantee progression to the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals.
Will Højlund inspire United to victory, or can Oyarzabal and Sociedad pull off a stunning upset in Manchester?
👉 Stay tuned for all the latest match previews, player insights, and tactical analysis leading up to the big game!