UEL: Manchester United's Unbeaten Europa League Run Continues with 1-1 Draw

Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Sociedad in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League last-16 tie, with Joshua Zirkzee's goal cancelled out by Mikel Oyarzabal's penalty.

Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League last-16 tie against Real Sociedad, setting up a thrilling conclusion to the two-legged affair. The result extended Manchester United's impressive record in European away games in Spain, where they have avoided defeat in eight of their last nine matches.

The significance of Manchester United's trip to the Reale Arena had increased following their FA Cup exit at the hands of Fulham on Sunday, which ended in a penalty shootout defeat. With the UEFA Europa League now representing their most viable route to securing a trophy and European qualification for next season, the pressure was on Erik ten Hag's side to deliver a positive result.

Manchester United made a promising start to the match, with Alejandro Garnacho testing Álex Remiro's reflexes within the opening 15 minutes in San Sebastian. Ruben Amorim's team continued to pose the greater threat in the first half, with Bruno Fernandes and Joshua Zirkzee both coming agonizingly close to scoring, only to be denied by Aritz Elustondo's last-ditch defending.

The visitors' inability to capitalize on their chances meant they went into the break without scoring for the fifth time in six UEFA Europa League matches. United's profligacy continued after the restart, as Garnacho fired the ball into the side-netting from a tight angle, squandering another opportunity.

However, Manchester United's persistence eventually paid off shortly before the hour mark. Garnacho's cutback found Joshua Zirkzee on the edge of the box, and the Dutch striker calmly guided the ball home to give his team a hard-fought lead.

Joshua Zirkzee's maiden UEFA Europa League goal gave Manchester United the lead, but their advantage was short-lived, lasting just over 10 minutes. Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty, sending Andre Onana the wrong way, after Bruno Fernandes was penalized for handball.

All to play for between Real Sociedad and Man Utd 😤#UEL pic.twitter.com/Vcbel0ELBE

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 6, 2025

With the momentum now in their favor, Real Sociedad pushed to capitalize on their equalizer. Brais Méndez's long-range effort forced Onana into a spectacular save, and Orri Oskarsson squandered a gilt-edged opportunity, poking the ball wide of the post after being set up by Sheraldo Becker.

In a tense finale, Oskarsson tested Onana's reflexes once more in stoppage time, but the Manchester United goalkeeper held firm. Ultimately, the Premier League side preserved parity until the final whistle, maintaining their unbeaten UEFA Europa League record this season ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford next week.