Manchester United vs Real Sociedad - LIVE
Man Utd welcome Real Sociedad to Old Trafford in a hugely important Europa League last 16 second leg clash. Ruben Amorim’s side are under major pressure to reach the quarter-final as winning the competition is now their only chance to salvage what has been a disappointing campaign thus far, in addition to qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
The tie is finely poised ahead of tonight’s decider at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ following a 1-1 draw in the first leg last week in San Sebastian. Joshua Zirkzee had given United the lead in the second-half but Mikel Oyarzabal equalised from the penalty spot after Bruno Fernandes was penalised by VAR for a handball in the box.
The Red Devils, unbeaten in Europe this season, are perhaps slight favourites to advance and go into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw with Arsenal, whilst Sociedad were beaten at home by Sevilla at the weekend and are now without a win in four across all competitions. It promises to be a dramatic night in Manchester, follow all the action LIVE with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Man Utd vs Real Sociedad latest news
- Kick-off
- How to watch: TNT Sports
- GOAL! Oyarzabal from the spot
- GOAL! Fernandes levels the tie
Full-time | Manchester United 4-1 Real Sociedad
21:56 , Dom SmithA superb win from Manchester United, one of their best under Ruben Amorim. It’s a 4-1 hammering of Real Sociedad, who weren’t all that bad but who faded badly in the second half, especially after going down to 10 men.
Bruno Fernandes led by example, scoring a hat-trick, and Diogo Dalot added a fourth late on! Into the quarters they go.
Manchester United 4-1 Real Sociedad
21:54 , Dom Smith90+4 mins: A booking for Collyer. Been a heated game this!
GOOAAALLL! Manchester United 4-1 Real Sociedad
21:52 , Dom Smith90+1 mins: Hojlund with skill down the left. He finds Dalot in the box, and the right wing-back batters a first-time effort into the roof of the net. 4-1. What a win from United in their biggest game of the season.
Manchester United 3-1 Real Sociedad
21:51 , Dom SmithThere’ll be four minutes added on. United are home and hosed.
GOOOAAALLL! HAT-TRICK FOR FERNANDES
21:48 , Dom Smith87 mins: Garnacho does excellent work to break away, check back, and feed forward for Fernandes to run on and slam past Remiro with his right foot. It’s a hat-trick for the Portuguese, and United are surely through.
PENALTY... No! | Manchester United 2-1 Real Sociedad
21:46 , Dom Smith85 mins: Traore is initially penalised for a penalty on Dorgu, but VAR takes a look and decides that Traore got the ball before sliding in to make contact with Dorgu.
In fact, Dorgu tells the ref that it’s not a pen! Fair play to the Dane!
Manchester United 2-1 Real Sociedad
21:42 , Dom Smith81 mins: SO CLOSE. First Fernandes with the disguised pass for Zirkzee to force a save. Then Mazraoui out wide with a fine cross to the Dutchman, whose header is JUST wide.
Manchester United 2-1 Real Sociedad
21:40 , Dom Smith81 mins: Elusdondo’s race is run. It’s Traore who comes on for Sociedad. A free-kick from the visitors is first headed away and then booted away by Heaven, who has played well on his full debut.
Manchester United 2-1 Real Sociedad
21:39 , Dom Smith78 mins: Casemiro, who has been brilliant, comes off and young Toby Collyer comes on in midfield. Can be proud of the shift he’s put in, Casemiro.
Manchester United 2-1 Real Sociedad
21:37 , Dom Smith78 mins: Berrenetxea goes into the book. Then some good defending by Aguerd to steal off Garnacho and get it clear.
Fernandes with an effort on goal but a block takes the sting off it. Then another, which is saved.
Manchester United 2-1 Real Sociedad
21:36 , Dom Smith76 mins: Sub coming for Sociedad. It’s Kubo, who has faded in this second half, who makes way. Oskarsson is the man to replace him.
Manchester United 2-1 Real Sociedad
21:31 , Dom Smith70 mins: Hojlund has another chance! He sends Garnacho bursting away down the left and then, via a defensive mistake, picks up the ball from the winger’s cross.
But it’s a poor, mishit effort.
Manchester United 2-1 Real Sociedad
21:27 , Dom Smith67 mins: CLOSE! De Ligt with a fine effort, just over the bar. United ahead in the match, with an extra man, and bossing the game at present.
RED CARD | Manchester United 2-1 Real Sociedad
21:24 , Dom Smith65 mins: The Sociedad sub Arambulu is sent off by the referee for taking Dorgu down as the last man. Dorgu had been sent free by a Zirkzee pass. It’s the right call. A clear goalscoring opportunity.
Then Oyarzabal goes into the book for arguing with the decision.
Manchester United 2-1 Real Sociedad
21:21 , Dom Smith60 mins: The tempo in this match has just dropped a little. Sociedad not enduring a particularly good spell of the game from their perspective.
Manchester United 2-1 Real Sociedad
21:19 , Dom Smith58 mins: Hojlund shows excellent strength to burst past Zubimendi and hold him off. His cross-cum-shot is too close to the goal for Garnacho but flies wide of the post.
He’s done well tonight Hojlund, but what he really needs is a goal!
Manchester United 2-1 Real Sociedad
21:16 , Dom Smith55 mins: United ahead in the tie and with Sociedad now needing to change something. Subs are coming.
Barrenetxea, Aramburu and Turrientes are all on. Off go Marin, Zubeldia and Becker.
GOOOAAALLL! Manchester United 2-1 Real Sociedad
21:11 , Dom Smith50 mins: Bruno Fernandes goes the other way and sends Remiro the wrong way AGAIN.
United ahead 2-1 and back ahead in the tie. Lovely spot-kick by a player who is playing well tonight.
PENALTY | Manchester United 1-1 Real Sociedad
21:09 , Dom Smith48 mins: Zirkzee with a flash drive on goal which the goalkeeper saves excellently. Then Dorgu goes over from an obstruction by Elustondo. The VAR are checking the penalty initially, and to see who initiated the contact, but the check is over and it’s a pen.
KICK OFF | Manchester United 1-1 Real Sociedad
21:05 , Dom Smith46 mins: Back underway at Old Trafford in the second half.
A tale of two penalties
20:58 , Dom SmithThat was a breathless first half, full of action, and with both goals breached by penalties.
Sociedad can possibly have more complaints about the one Zubeldia conceded rather than that which De Ligt gave away, but were were given and were slotted away with aplomb by Oyarzabal and Fernandes, the two captains.
HT | Manchester United 1-1 Real Sociedad
20:51 , Dom SmithThe half-time whistle arrives, and the match and the tie are both level.
More needed in the second half from the Red Devils, but that was a very bright first 45 minutes by them.
Manchester United 1-1 Real Sociedad
20:49 , Dom Smith45+4’ mins: Becker hits a speculative volley from range. Very good technique, to be fair, but it’s gathered by United’s Cameroonian shot-stooper.
Manchester United 1-1 Real Sociedad
20:49 , Dom Smith45+3’ mins: Casemiro is required to make a strong block from Marin after four United players fail to clear the ball from the box.
Manchester United 1-1 Real Sociedad
20:46 , Dom SmithThere’ll be four added minutes in this first half.
Manchester United 1-1 Real Sociedad
20:45 , Dom Smith43 mins: Another chance falls the way of Dorgu. Fernandes spots the wing-back making a speedy run down the left and duly plays him in.
Dorgu’s strike is weak, though. Held with ease.
Manchester United 1-1 Real Sociedad
20:43 , Dom Smith42 mins: Well that is a tough watch. Fernandes shoots from a free-kick from no fewer than 35 yards out. It balloons over the bar and wide. He slaps the air in frustration.
Not some of your best stuff, Bruno
Manchester United 1-1 Real Sociedad
20:41 , Dom Smith40 mins: A good cross into the box by Garnacho poses a problem for Sociedad but Aguerd clears it behind. Marin gets a yellow for remonstrations.
Dorgu hits across the ball with an acrobatic volley from the corner, but it lands on the roof of the net. United have been really impressive in this first half.
Manchester United 1-1 Real Sociedad
20:35 , Dom Smith34 mins: United pressing intently and sense a chance to nick it off the visitors, but credit to Sociedad who pop it about nicely, as they showed in the first leg.
Kubo, on the right wing, is some talent and has already showcased his quick feet.
Aguerd then adjudged to have fouled Hojlund in the middle of the park.
Manchester United 1-1 Real Sociedad
20:31 , Dom Smith30 mins: HUGE CHANCE. Some exceptional play down the left by Zirkzee, who receives from Dorgu, gets to the byline, and rolls the ball across the box. Hojlund tries a clever flick but it goes just wide.
So close.
Manchester United 1-1 Real Sociedad
20:28 , Dom Smith27 mins: Bit sloppy between Casemiro, Dorgu and Heaven and Sociedad get an unnecessary corner. It’s taken quickly but the effort by Kubo is held by Onana.
Manchester United 1-1 Real Sociedad
20:25 , Dom Smith25 mins: Fernandes whips in a good corner, which Zirkzee flicks on. Some half-hearted appeals for a handball off Zubimendi, but it’s not a handball. It comes off his thigh.
But United playing well.
Manchester United 1-1 Real Sociedad
20:22 , Dom Smith22 mins: Hojlund penalised for a foul on Zubeldia, but I’m not so sure. He breezed past the defender and, yes, held him off. But it wasn’t a clear foul. United would have been through if the ref had played on!
Manchester United 1-1 Real Sociedad
20:20 , Dom Smith19 mins: Good effort from range by Casemiro, which flies just wide. Remiro comes out for a punch a few seconds earlier and catches Hojlund accidentally.
Zubeldia and De Ligt were booked for their respective fouls for the penalties, by the way.
GOOAAALLLL! Manchester United 1-1 Real Sociedad
20:17 , Dom Smith16 mins: Bruno Fernandes is the man for the big occasion and, just as Oyarzabal did at the other end, sends the goalkeeper the wrong way.
United back on terms on the night and in the tie.
PENALTY! Manchester United 0-1 Real Sociedad
20:16 , Dom Smith15 mins: United have a penalty of their own! Lovely ball to Fernandes, in behind, who squares for Hojlund. Before the Dane can score, Zubeldia is penalised immediately by the ref for a supposed foul on Hojlund.
A VAR check ensues, and says yes, penalty.
Manchester United 0-1 Real Sociedad
20:13 , Dom Smith13 mins: United try to hit back immediately but a soft shot by Garnacho is held easily by goalkeeper Remiro.
And then a big chance for Dorgu, who heads across goal.
GOOOAAALLL! Manchester United 0-1 Real Sociedad
20:11 , Dom Smith10 mins: No mistake from the spot from Mikel Oyarzabal. The skipper sends Onana the wrong way, scoring from the spot just as he did in the first leg.
For the first time in the tie, United are behind. It was an unlucky penalty to concede, but there was contact from De Ligt.
PENALTY! Manchester United 0-0 Real Sociedad
20:09 , Dom Smith8 mins: Nightmare start for United, who concede a penalty. Bastien, the referee, takes a long time to look at it but does award it. Chance for an early Sociedad lead!
Manchester United 0-0 Real Sociedad
20:08Off goes the referee to take a look at the monitor himself
Manchester United 0-0 Real Sociedad
20:07 , Dom Smith6 mins: First moment of danger for United as a nice cross enters their box, but the Red Devils get it clear.
Then looks as though Oyarzabal, the Sociedad skipper, gets a nick from De Ligt. There’s a penalty check too!
Manchester 0-0 Real Sociedad
20:04 , Dom Smith3 mins: A poor pass out from Casemiro prompts an attack for Sociedad, whose attacker Kubo plays the ball cutely between Heaven’s legs.
But United get back to defend through Zirkzee, who also gets the subsequent corner clear.
KICK OFF | Manchester 0-0 Real Sociedad
20:01 , Dom Smith1 min: We’re underway at Old Trafford!
Players lining up in the tunnels
19:55 , Dom Smith
Amorim explains why Heaven is starting
19:47 , Dom SmithThe Manchester United head coach has explained why Amorim is being handed his very-first start in senior football tonight.
“Ayden Heaven starts because when you prove yourself in training and in matches, you are an option to play,” Amorim said.
“He is doing very well and we are excited to see him.”
Kick-off fast approaching
19:40 , Dom SmithJust 20 minutes to go until kick-off now, as Old Trafford prepares to send one of these teams through to the Europa League quarter-finals and one of them out.
Sociedad warming up on the Old Trafford turf
19:27 , Dom Smith⛔️ En tus manos.#UEL pic.twitter.com/6vC6QKMHbj
— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) March 13, 2025
A look into the Manchester United dressing room
19:18 , Dom Smith— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 13, 2025
Last time out...
19:09With just under an hour to go until kick-off, here is a recap of the first leg, in which United left Sociedad with a 1-1 draw
A first start for Ayden Heaven
18:59 , Dom SmithSo the big news from the starting line-ups is that Ruben Amorim has handed a first start in Manchester United colours to 18-year-old youngster Ayden Heaven, signed on February 1 from Arsenal’s academy.
The centre-back has impressed off the bench in recent weeks, including against Fulham in the FA Cup and on Sunday against his former side, the Gunners, in that 1-1 Premier League draw. Now a chance to play from the start, with Leny Yoro out for the next two games.
We wondered whether the returning Manuel Ugarte might start in midfield, but the Uruguayan is instead on the bench.
The United bench in full is: Mee, Harrison, Lindelof, Eriksen, Ugarte, Amass, Collyer, Fredricson, Fletcher, Scanlon
Real Sociedad starting line-up
18:52 , Dom SmithSociedad (4-3-3): Remiro; Elustondo, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz; Marin, Zubimendi, Mendez; Becker, Oyarzabal, Kubo
Subs: Marrero, Barrenetxea, Oskarsson, Lopez, Olasagasti, Gomez, Traore, Aramburu, Turrientes, Martin, Beitia, Mariezkurrena
Manchester United starting line-up!
18:47 , Dom SmithThe United team is in and is as follows:
Manchester United (3-4-3): Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Heaven; Dalot, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu; Garnacho, Hojlund, Zirkzee
Manchester United vs Real Sociedad match odds
18:42 , Dom SmithMatch result:
- Manchester United – 1/1
- Draw – 21/10
- Real Sociedad – 3/1
To qualify:
- Manchester United – 19/40
- Real Sociedad – 6/4
*Odds provided by Betway.
Manchester United vs Real Sociedad prediction
18:32 , Dom SmithThere are perhaps signs of life from United, who will feel disappointed that they did not beat the Gunners on Sunday.
While they remain difficult to trust, Amorim is seemingly starting to get a grip on things and should feel confident about turning what promises to be a big occasion for the supporters into a potentially season-saving victory.
Man Utd to win, 2-1.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
18:15 , Dom SmithMan Utd wins: 3
Draws: 3
Real Sociedad wins: 1
Real Sociedad team news
18:05 , Dom SmithArsen Zakharyan and Alvaro Odriozola have both overcome fitness issues and could play some part. Martin Zubimendi, who joins Arsenal in the summer, is set to start after recovering from illness, which saw him miss the first leg.
Jon Pacheco is sidelined with a muscle issue, while Luka Sucic and Jon Aramburu missed training earlier this week so are doubts.
Our Manchester United predicted XI
17:55 , Dom SmithPredicted Man Utd XI: Onana; De Ligt, Lindelof, Heaven; Dalot, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu; Eriksen, Garnacho; Zirkzee
Manchester United team news
17:46 , Dom SmithManuel Ugarte is in contention for United after returning to training and could replace Casemiro in central midfield.
Mason Mount was back in United training too but this game will come too soon. Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire will not feature, while none of Amorim’s other injured players are set to return.
Patrick Dorgu is available, however, despite a domestic suspension following a red card against Ipswich.
Young striker Chido Obi is not eligible for the competition. Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans, Altay Bayindir, Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton are all sidelined.
Where to watch Manchester United vs Real Sociedad
17:38 , Dom SmithTV channel: The game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate in the UK, with coverage from 7pm.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers will also be able to watch online via the Discovery+ website and app.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog.
Hello and welcome!
17:31 , Dom SmithGood evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Manchester United versus Real Sociedad in the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie.
The tie is in the balance after the Red Devils earned a 1-1 draw in Spain in last week’s first leg, courtesy of Joshua Zirkzee’s second-half strike.
They then returned to league matters, drawing 1-1 with Arsenal on Sunday, and now turn their attentions back to the Europa League and a match they must win at Old Trafford, either in normal time, extra time, or on penalties, to avoid exiting the competition.
Kick off is at 8pm GMT. Don’t go away...
