Manchester United get back-to-back cup games in a stream of congested fixtures. It was a largely depleted squad that hosted Fulham on Sunday, but selection issues got worse for Ruben Amorim against Real Sociedad, as he lost Manuel Ugarte and Harry Maguire to new injury concerns.
Counting his blessings, new signing Patrick Dorgu was back in the squad, following his domestic suspension. As for adjustments, Casemiro came in for Manuel Ugarte, and Noussair Mazraoui dropped to central defense to cover for the missing Maguire.
Alejandro Garnacho also started in attack, with Amad Diallo still missing for the Red Devils.
It was going to be a difficult game for United, but almost worse for their opponents from the Basque region. Real Sociedad have lost three times in their last four meetings with United and are currently on a rather poor run in the Europa League, against one of the strongest sides in the competition this season.
With injuries and poor form plaguing both sides, shared spoils were always a likely outcome in San Sebastian.
First half
Slow first half
Neither team was at their full strength, and they settled into the game rather slowly. Dorgu was the brightest spark for United, as his positioning and pace provided the team with options in the wide spaces. The best chance fell to Garnacho after a layoff and some effective footwork carved some space for the Argentinian winger on his right foot.
The eventual shot lacked the curler to beat a well-positioned Alex Remiro in goal, as the goalie held on to the ball quite comfortably.
Real Sociedad ended the half without a shot on target, as Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea were relatively quiet figures in attack for the first period.
Second half:
More pace, more intent
The second half produced more lively displays from both sides, as the realities of qualification obviously dawned on them. It was United who got the first wave of action, and they controlled the game firmly till the opener.
United bright spot: Zirkzee opener
A brilliant counter in the 57th minute caught the Sociedad defenders out of place, and Diogo Dalot’s drive down the middle helped carve the recovering defense open. The wingback had been ineffective in the final third all game up to that point, but his pass to Garnacho was spot-on.
The Argentinian held up play, eventually cutting back for Joshua Zirkzee to stroke home from 18 yards out. Remiro was wrong-footed with the switch in play, and the Dutchman's strike down the middle was enough to put the Red Devils ahead.
United control
With Manchester United ahead, it was easier to establish even more control over their subdued opponents. The chances became more regular and clearer.
One controversial moment was a Rasmus Hojlund flick that seemed to be sending Garnacho on his way to a comfortable one-on-one situation before the referee called play back for a foul on the Dane after playing advantage United. Things could have gotten rather smooth for the Red Devils had the advantage stood.
The resulting free-kick from Bruno Fernandes dipped towards the right–only inches off the post.
Sociedad fortunes reversed
The Spanish side had been outplayed by United for much of the second half. Their brightest moment till then was a 67th-minute Brais Mendez strike from range that dipped wide of the right post, leaving a stranded Onana to watch it bounce harmlessly off target.
The leveler came courtesy of a VAR-reviewed handball in the box. Fernandes had his outstretched arm contact a header from Nayef Aguerd and the resulting spot-kick was duly converted by skipper Mikel Oyarzabal.
A penalty goal against the run of play and the game was balanced once again.
Ending stages: Oskarssson miss, De Ligt heroics
Some blind luck and immense defensive skill kept the United side in the game. Real Sociedad had momentum on their side, and they milked it to maximal effect.
Orri Oskarssson was one of the attacking options introduced for Imanol Alguacil’s men in the 63rd minute, but it took a pure wideman to bring the Norwegian into much action.
Sheraldo Becker’s entry in the 80th minute increased the Sociedad firepower in the wide areas, and before long, his dangerous runs caused problems for United.
Becker's carefully whipped cross in the 83rd minute was one of two close calls for the Red Devils, as only Oskarssson’s horrific miss denied the hosts the lead at the time. Becker came calling two minutes later, and Matthijs De Ligt's slip looked to set Oskarssson up for another straightforward tap-in.
The Dutchman recovered from the slip enough to halt the cross and hack a clearance, denying the Icelandic striker a chance to right his wrong. Oskarssson was called into action again a few minutes later, in stoppage time, but his shot from a tight angle was smartly blocked by Onana.
What does this mean?
Two teams with inconsistent form share the pointsat a spirited Reale Stadium, and United go into the second leg with a home fixture boost. Their underwhelming season in the English Premier League under Amorim stands in stark contrast with their undefeated Europa League outing. If the Red Devils expect continued appearance in Europe next season, the Europa League is the competition to be keen on.
They sit in 14th place in the Premier League and are out of both domestic cups. The salve for a poor showing so far lies in a respectable end to their Europa League season, which is by no means at the hands of a flailing Real Sociedad side.
The Basque team are ninth in an almost equally poor showing in the Spanish La Liga.
They too sport low hopes of silverware elsewhere, and their chances for European football hinge rather strongly on a Europa League trophy. While they are among the last four in the Copa del Rey, they are clear underdogs amid in-form Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.
As far as silverware and European football next season are concerned, an away win at Old Trafford next week could be the clearest path for Real Sociedad now.
Coming up next…
Real Sociedad face off Basque opponents and fellow under-performers Sevilla on Sunday, March 9, 2025 by 3 pm EST before travelling to England on Thursday. Man United face a tough task against Arsenal by 11:30 am on the same day in the Premier League, before playing hosts to the Spanish side on March 13.
