Manchester United took the lead through Joshua Zirkzee but were held to a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday.
United had the only real chance of the first half against Sociedad when Bruno Fernandes had a goalbound shot blocked and Zirkzee's follow-up effort was saved.
Alejandro Garnacho hit a shot into the side netting but 12 minutes into the second half he pulled a pass back to the unmarked Zirkzee on the edge of the area and the Dutch forward drove a first-time shot past keeper Alex Remiro.
Sociedad pushed for an equaliser with Brais Mendez bending a shot just wide of the post and they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Fernandes which Mikel Oyarzabal converted to level the tie with 20 minutes remaining.
As the hosts grew in confidence, Mendez forced United keeper Andre Onana into a fine save and substitute Orri Oskarsson put a close-range effort wide but United hung on to remain the only unbeaten side in the competition this season.
Real Sociedad vs Man Utd latest news
- Man Utd dealt Europa League setback as Real Sociedad fight back
- Amorim explains Garnacho substitution amid Man United 'sulking' claim
Good night!
20:52 , Jonathan GorrieThanks for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Manchester United’s draw with Real Sociedad.
Find our report and reaction below!
Amorim explains Garnacho substitution amid Man United 'sulking' claim
20:51 , Jonathan GorrieRuben Amorim has explained why Alejandro Garnacho was substituted during Manchester United’s Europa League draw with Real Sociedad.
The winger started the game as United drew 1-1 with Sociedad in the first leg of their last-16 clash. Joshua Zirkzee had given the Red Devils the lead before Mikel Oyarzabal levelled with a penalty after Bruno Fernandes was adjudged to have handled in the box following a VAR call.
Man Utd dealt Europa League setback as Real Sociedad fight back
19:43 , Jonathan GorrieManchester United were pegged back in their Europa League last-16 clash with Real Sociedad.
Joshua Zirkzee had given the Red Devils the lead in the second-half but Mikel Oyarzabal leveled the scores with a penalty after Bruno Fernandes was penalised by VAR for a handball in the box.
FT: Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
19:41 , Jonathan GorrieIt’s over! Honours even after an entertaining night.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
19:39 , Jonathan Gorrie93 mins: Onana with a HUGE save to deny Oskarsson.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
19:36 , Jonathan Gorrie90 mins: Into five added minutes!
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
19:31 , Jonathan Gorrie85 mins: Brilliant from De Ligt to clear the ball even after he had slipped. Sociedad were in.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
19:28 , Jonathan Gorrie83 mins: Oskarsson misses when 1v1 with Onana! Brilliant pass and not an easy chance but really should have scored.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd
19:23 , Jonathan Gorrie77 mins: Onana does well to tip a Mendes strike past the post and United just about clear the resulting corner.
GOAL! Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd | Mikel Oyarzabal '69
19:14 , Jonathan Gorrie69 mins: GOAL!
Oyarzabal scores from the spot to level the scores!
Real Sociedad 0-1 Man Utd
19:13 , Jonathan Gorrie67 mins: PENALTY TO SOCIEDAD!
Fernandes judged to have handled in the box!
Real Sociedad 0-1 Man Utd
19:11 , Jonathan Gorrie65 mins: Casemiro blocks Kubo’s shot as the hosts look to raise the tempo a bit.
Real Sociedad 0-1 Man Utd
19:08 , Jonathan Gorrie62 mins: Garnacho fires into the side netting after good work from Hojlund.
GOAL! Real Sociedad 0-1 Man Utd | Joshua Zirkzee '57
19:03 , Jonathan Gorrie57 mins: GOAL!
A lovely finish from Zirkzee, who finds the bottom corner when latching onto Garnacho’s cutback.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
18:55 , Jonathan Gorrie50 mins: Garnacho hits the side netting after a nice ball through from Dorgu on the opposite flank.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
18:55 , Jonathan Gorrie50 mins: Decent effort from the United skipper, who gets it up and over the ball but it drops just wide.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
18:54 , Jonathan Gorrie49 mins: Dangerous free-kick for United just outside the box. Fernandes standing over it...
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
18:50 , Jonathan GorrieBack underway!
HT: Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
18:34 , Jonathan GorrieUnited have the better chances but nothing to split the sides.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
18:33 , Jonathan Gorrie45 mins: The hosts looking to finish the half strongly and force a corner, which Onana just about deals with before a foul is called on the United keeper.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
18:28 , Jonathan Gorrie41 mins: Dalot looks to get a head on Dorgu’s cross but cannot generate enough power and it’s easily saved.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
18:23 , Jonathan Gorrie36 mins: How did not go in?
Fernandes and Zirkzee both denied by the ‘keeper at close range!
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
18:22 , Jonathan Gorrie35 mins: United are enjoying much the better of it now, albeit without causing too many problems just yet.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
18:17 , Jonathan Gorrie30 mins: Amorim will have been pleased with how his side have started a difficult away trip in Europe.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
18:09 , Jonathan Gorrie22 mins: Nice run from Dalot and Hojlund waits in the box for a cross that never came.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
18:06 , Jonathan Gorrie19 mins: Dorgu shoots over from just outside the box. Better from United.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
18:04 , Jonathan Gorrie18 mins: Little to split the two teams still. Andre Onana has looked confident claiming crosses.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
17:58 , Jonathan Gorrie11 mins: Garnacho forces the first real save with a tame effort just inside the box.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
17:56 , Jonathan Gorrie09 mins: Neither goalkeeper tested just yet.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
17:54 , Jonathan Gorrie06 mins: It’s a really fast pace here, with the hosts looking dangerous.
United have started with purpose but the La Liga side look defensively pretty sound.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
17:49 , Jonathan Gorrie02 mins: Hojlund’s cross cut out in a fast-paced start for the Red Devils.
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd
17:46 , Jonathan GorrieKICK-OFF!
Real Sociedad vs Man Utd
17:36 , Jonathan GorrieThe warm-ups are well underway!
🇪🇺 We want to continue our winning run in 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲.#UEL pic.twitter.com/7lSDwNLPCi
— Real Sociedad 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 (@RealSociedadEN) March 6, 2025
Real Sociedad vs Man Utd
17:17 , Jonathan GorrieBig words from Paul Scholes...
"I think he is under pressure" 👀
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 6, 2025
Paul Scholes and Karen Carney discuss the pressure on Ruben Amorim, and the shape of his Manchester United squad ⚽️
🎙️ @julesbreach | 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/hOYi4rZsWf
Real Sociedad vs Man Utd
17:16 , Jonathan GorrieA big night for Bruno Fernandes!
👕🔴#UEL pic.twitter.com/cHYviUkBNe
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 6, 2025
Real Sociedad vs Man Utd
17:09 , Jonathan GorrieThe United players get familiar with their surroundings
Taking a pre-match walk around 🚶♂️💭#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/lpSiSL403c
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 6, 2025
Real Sociedad vs Man Utd
16:49 , Jonathan GorrieA big game for the Red Devils!
Reds on foreign soil ❤️🔥🇪🇸#MUFC || #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 6, 2025
Confirmed Manchester United lineup
16:43 , Jonathan GorrieMan Utd XI: Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Mazraoui, Dalot; Fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu; Zirkzee, Garnacho, Hojlund
Subs: Harrison, Mee, Amass, Heaven, Lindelof, Collyer, Eriksen
Confirmed Real Sociedad lineup
16:43 , Jonathan GorrieReal Sociedad XI: Remiro; Elustondo, Aguerd, Zubeldia, Munoz; Mendez, Turrientes, Sucic; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea
Subs: Marrero, Oskarsson, Becker, Lopez, Olasagasti, Gomez, Traore, Aramburu, Marin, Martin, Beitia, Mariezkurrena
Real Sociedad vs Man Utd
16:07 , Jonathan GorrieHere’s a look at tonight’s venue...
On site in San Sebastian 🇪🇸#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/mX8pY0qaxo
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 6, 2025
Manchester United suffer double injury blow ahead of Real Sociedad trip to add to Ruben Amorim problems
15:48Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte are both likely to miss Manchester United’s trip to face Real Sociedad.
Ruben Amorim’s side travel to Spain for the first leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday night, with the Europa League representing the club’s last chance to salvage something from the season.
Real Sociedad vs Man Utd: Latest Europa League odds today
15:33 , Jonathan GorrieReal Sociedad – 23/20
Draw – 21/10
Manchester United – 5/2
Odds via Betway
Ruben Amorim explains why Chido Obi not in Manchester United squad for Europa League
15:22 , Jonathan GorrieRuben Amorim has explained both Manchester United’s decision to omit Chido Obi from their squad for the Europa League knockout stages and why he only has 18 players heading to Real Sociedad.
The Red Devils are in Spain for Thursday night’s last-16 first-leg tie with a small playing group heavily depleted by a raft of absentees including their teenage striker.
Real Sociedad vs Man Utd: Head to head (h2h) history and results
15:19 , Jonathan GorrieReal Sociedad wins: 1
Draws: 2
Man United wins: 3
Real Sociedad vs Man Utd: Europa League score prediction today
15:17 , Jonathan GorrieUnconvincing wins over Ipswich and Leicester is as good as it has got for United over the past month.
Real Sociedad have not been at their best this season, but were only narrowly beaten by Real Madrid last month. Goals have been a problem, with only 23 scored in 26 LaLiga matches.
With United struggling in attack themselves, it is unlikely to be a goal-fest in Spain.
Draw, 0-0.
Man Utd team news vs Real Sociedad today
15:16 , Jonathan GorrieUnited are without Manuel Ugarte and Harry Maguire, after both missed training on Wednesday with minor injuries picked up in the FA Cup against Fulham.
Chido Obi is ineligible having not been registered in the club’s Europa League squad, while the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, Altay Bayindir and Jonny Evans all remain out.
Patrick Dorgu is available amid a domestic suspension, with Toby Collyer also back fit. Dorgu, Ayden Heaven and Jack Fletcher were all added to the United Europa League squad last month after the January loan exits of Marcus Rashford, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.
Real Sociedad team news vs Man Utd today
15:15 , Jonathan GorrieMartin Zubimendi came off against Barcelona with a hamstring injury over the weekend, but he has since participated in training and is expected to be fit to start.
Jon Pacheco and Arsen Zakharyan remain injured, but Jon Aramburu is available again after suspension.
Real Sociedad vs Man Utd: TV channel and live stream for Europa League today
15:15 , Jonathan GorrieTV channel: In the UK, tonight’s game will be televised live on TNT Sports 1. Coverage starts at 5pm.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s LIVE blog.
Welcome
15:09 , Jonathan GorrieGood afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Manchester United’s Europa League clash against Real Sociedad this evening.
Kick-off from the Anoeta Stadium is at 5.45pm GMT.
