Joshua Zirkzee celebrating his goal
Spain.
Real Sociedad and Manchester United played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie at the Reale Arena on Thursday night.
Joshua Zirkzee put Manchester United ahead in the 57th minute, scoring his first European goal for the club. His low strike from the edge of the box caught goalkeeper Alex Remiro off guard and found the back of the net.
United looked set to secure a crucial away victory, but VAR intervened late in the match to award Real Sociedad a penalty for a Bruno Fernandes handball. Without much protest from the players, Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up and calmly converted from the spot, sending Andre Onana the wrong way to level the score.
The result leaves the tie finely balanced ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford next week, with both teams needing a win to secure a place in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Before turning their focus to next Thursday’s decisive match, both teams will return to domestic action on Sunday. Manchester United host Arsenal in a crucial Premier League clash, while Real Sociedad take on Sevilla in LaLiga.
From Monday onwards, all eyes will be back on the Europa League showdown at Old Trafford, where the fate of both clubs in the competition will be decided.