Real Sociedad 1 Man United 1 – a good result or missed opportunity? And was it a punishment?

The Europa League is the only prize left for Manchester United to watch this season, and their prospects to reach the final of Bilbao on May 21 are still alive after a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad in the first stage of their 16 equality.

There was little chance for both sides in an opening period, Andre Ona ending the half without having to make a single rescue. United my best time was a brief chances of the 37th minute, when the first Bruno Fernandes and then Joshua Zirkzee (twice) approached Ruben Amorim.

United climbed it after half a time and opened the scoring with a well-worked goal from Zirkzee just before the hour mark. But the hopes of a slim advantage to take him back to Manchester for the second stage were eliminated when Var noticed a Bruno Fernandes handball, allowing Real Sociedad to equalize from the penalty site. Then, the home part had additional chances to mark, but they were refused by some fine rescue from Onana.

athleticAnantajith Raghuraman discovers the key discussion points in the game.

---

A good result for United or a missed opportunity?

United will have mixed feelings about this result. In the first half, they were willing to give up control for a deep defensive line, with Real Sociedad playing in front of them. The possession of 38 % of United registered in the first half is the second smallest figure they have registered in competitions so far under Amorim. But the lack of pressing and the form of 5-4-1 outside of possession also meant that they did not give any clear opportunity, which some would claim to be a sensitive approach in the post-Away.

Zirkzee’s goal came after United played more positively in the second half, while the goal they recognized involved more than a note of misfortune. As for the balance of things, a 1-1 draw away from home is a decent result, in particular, given that Onana had to make numerous savings in the last 15 minutes. But United would have benefited from winning the profit for psychological reasons.

The second stage of next week will probably see as tight margins and, while United would normally be confident in the victory at home, their recent form at Old Trafford is an obvious cause of concern.

---

A well -worked goal in Zirkzee

The first half was an exact representation of the place where these two teams are currently. Combined, they scored only 56 goals in the Liga in 53 matches. However, with United, trying repeatedly to overcome their peak, the best chances came when the wing backs made superimposed or transitional running, where Real Sociedad lacked Martin Zubimendi, who missed the disease.

It was no wonder that Zirkzee’s goal was a product of both these factors. In the second half, Diogo Dalot began to turn more often in the middle of the field, allowing Alejandro Garnacho to stay wider on the right, while Casemiro displayed a little more with his distribution.

In the 57th minute, Casemiro played a bold passage outside the boot to the opposite Dalot, who led it before, without any player to challenge him. Dalot left him for Garnacho, who could cut him back to Zirkzee, on the edge of the area. Crucially, Rasmus Hojlund blocked a defender to give Zirkzee a clear way to empty, and his shot for the first time defeated Alex Remaro.

The discount objective is that a United has recognized several times under Amorim and Erik Ten Hag, so it made a pleasant change to be beneficiaries of a similar move this time, players working well as a unit to create a deserved opening.

---

Was it a punishment?

Real Sociedad received a way back in the match in the 67th minute, from an extremely harmless situation.

The corner of Takefusa Kubo was cleaned by a combination of Fernandes and Matthijs de Ligt before Garnacho was hit while walking after the ball up. Referee Ivan Kruzliak was informed that Var verifies a punishment, although there was no immediate clarity on what he was because he did not appeal to any Sociedad player.

After a quick conversation, Kruzliak reported to take a look at the incident for himself, an unpleasant sign for United. The play showed that, while Nayef Aguerd attacked the ball in the box, Fernandes competed with him in the air, and the ball ricocked him, which was close to him as he jumped up to challenge the blow.

Since the arm was in an unnatural position, La Real received a penalty and Oyarzabal sent Onana the wrong way to mark the first blow of the hosts on the target.

Could Fernandes have done something different? Many will argue – as Robbie Savage did about TNT coverage in the UK – that the hand was so big, given that Fernandes jumped.

However, by the letter of the law, especially in European competitions, it is a punishment, even if the inconsistencies in the law are another story.

---

What did Ruben Amorim say?

We will bring this to you after talking to the post-Meci press conference.

---

What follows for United?

Sunday, March 9: Arsenal (home), Premier League, 16.30 pm UK, 11.30 pm

---

Recommended reading

(Top photo: Getty Images)