Manchester United were left to rue missed chances as they drew 1-1 at Real Sociedad to leave the tie open heading back to Old Trafford.
Man Utd started well and kept Real Sociedad mostly at bay without breaking a sweat, but their finishing problems remained, either by missing the final pass or fluffing their shot.
It ensured the first half was goalless despite a late surge from Sociedad. United kept plugging away in the second half and were finally rewarded.
Garnacho finally found Zirkzee from out wide and the Dutchman coolly finished past Alex Remiro from the edge of the box.
United seemed like they’d finish with a win in a serene game, but it’s never simple with the club as Bruno Fernandes was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area. Sociedad came back out of nowhere.
They rode that wave of momentum to threaten a turnaround but neither team was too convincing as the game finished 1-1.
Here’s how the players rated-
Andre Onana – 7
Found some groove and confidence with slick touches on the ball. Not troubled in goal.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6.5
Comfortable and calm. Rarely needed desperate intervention.
Matthijs de Ligt – 7
Repelled Sociedad’s late surge in the first half and had some important interventions in the second.
Leny Yoro – 6.5
Same as Mazraoui. Started on the right this time.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Hojlund went ballistic at him for missing a clear pass early on. Found Fernandes later but nowhere near consistent enough.
Patrick Dorgu – 5
First-time crosses created havoc but became increasingly sloppy as the game went on.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Let down his lofty standards by missing from Dalot’s cross in the first half. Harshly given penalty against him.
Casemiro – 7
Loved being back in Spain away from the intensely physical Premier League.
Joshua Zirkzee – 8
Brilliant finish to give United the lead and loved having time on the ball to pick out his passes. Probably Amorim’s favourite now after a change of positions.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6.5
Guilty of going at it alone too many times but passed when it mattered as he assisted Zirkzee’s opener.
Rasmus Hojlund – 7
Made great runs and held the ball up well only to be ignored by his teammates this time.
Substitutes
Christian Eriksen – 6
Came on to thread the needle against Sociedad’s low block but ended up being in one himself.
Toby Collyer – 6
Returned from injury with some careful minutes.
Victor Lindelof – 6
No standout moment after coming on late.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/niXywZW