Joshua Zirkzee strike sees Man Utd draw with Real Sociedad

Absentee-hit Manchester United were unable to turn a positive performance into a Europa League victory as Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty sees Real Sociedad head to Old Trafford with the last-16 tie poised at 1-1.

Joshua Zirkzee put United into a deserved lead, only for Oyarzabal to level from the spot with Sociedad’s first shot on target after the VAR spotted a Bruno Fernandes handball.

Aritz Elustondo produced blocks to deny Fernandes and Zirkzee in quick succession, with the latter making the breakthrough in the 57th minute when firing home from the edge of the box.

La Real offered little by way of response, but the VAR’s intervention gave them the chance to level with 20 minutes remaining. Fernandes’ handball was punished upon review and Sociedad skipper Oyarzabal scored from the spot.

The rejuvenated hosts ended on top as United’s lack of options and recent exertions took their toll, but they head back to Old Trafford for next Thursday’s second leg in a decent position.

United’s first shot on target came in the 12th minute, when Fernandes and Casemiro won the ball to start a counter that led to Alejandro Garnacho getting away an easily gathered shot after some nice footwork.

Diego Dalot did not enjoy the finest half but made the right decision when playing over to Fernandes to get away a shot blocked on the line by Elustondo. United kept their cool and the move alive, with Zirkzee denied by the Sociedad centre-back before flicking a follow-up wide.

Dalot saw a header easily held before a break that returned in the same pattern, with the Amorim’s Reds on top but struggling to find a killer instinct.

Garnacho then met a low cross with a strike into the side netting and then saw an effort deflect into Alex Remiro’s grasp.

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