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Manchester United resume their fight for the one remaining title they can win this season as they host Real Sociedad for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday.
Ruben Amorim’s side were held to a 1-1 draw in the opening leg in San Sebastian last week, with Joshua Zirkzee scoring the opener before Mikel Oyarzabal levelled proceedings with a late penalty. But they’ll need more of that magic against Real Sociedad, with this competition the final opportunity for the Red Devils to win silverware this season and rescue what has otherwise been a dismal campaign.
The visitors have been on a middling run of their own, having lost four of their last six games including a 1-0 loss to Sevilla in their last outing, and sit 11th in La Liga. But all the pressure is on United - especially after some of their players were labelled “overpaid” and “underperforming” by owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Follow updates from Manchester United v Real Sociedad in our live blog below:
Manchester United FC 2 - 1 Real Sociedad de Fútbol
59min: United are very in gear now, and look to be enjoying themselves. Hojlund and Zirkzee are linking up well in attack - you can tell the former is desperate to end his goal drought tonight.
56min: When was the last time we were treated to three penalties in one match? What a spectacle.
Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert became the first player in Premier League history to score three penalties in one match back in November - could Fernandes match that feat tonight?
A gripping tie and United have started fast this half, here’s Richard Jolly with the latest insight from Old Trafford:
“Dorgu won United's second penalty and he has been positive throughout, whether running forward or attempting a series of long-range shots. He isn't yet the most polished of players but this has been an encouraging night for the January signing.”
50min: Fernandes does what he does best and tucks the penalty away tidily.
A typically patient run-up followed by a hop, skip, jump, and he rolls it away from the keeper.
United lead on the night and in the tie - its the perfect time to score so soon after half time, and you cannot see United slipping up now.
48min: Another penalty for United! Zirkzee sees his shot saved and Dorgu follows up on the rebound but he is tripped up by Elustondo!
The referee waits on it, has a think, and points to the spot.
We’re back underway at Old Trafford! A season-defining 45 minutes await United - can they get this over the line?
Speaking before the match, England legend Karen Carney again called on Sir Jim Ratcliffe to up his investment in Man United’s women’s side.
“Nobody expects Man Utd to not be focused on the men’s team, but it is disappointing and surprising for a club of such history that has been forward thinking and world-leading not to be investing in one of the fastest growing areas in sport,” Carney tells TNT Sports.
“I thought they wanted to be the best in class, leaders in their field, for me it’s sad and I’m disappointed, I hope it changes.”
Looking at the halftime numbers, it is rather surprising that we have only seen penalty goals.
United and Sociedad have had 17 shots between them, six of which have been on target, generating a total of 1.08 non-penalty xG.
It is the hosts who have had more of the joy, though - Hojlund’s miss alone constitutes 0.52xG.
De Ligt launches a cross-field ball to Zirkzee but overhits it, and it dribbles out of play to close the half.
We started with a flurry of action as two penalties went either way in the opening quarter of an hour, but neither side has been able to find the back of the net from open play as yet.
United have had the better of the opportunities, though, enjoying the better of the play after neutralizing Sociedad’s fast start.
Ultimately, we will head into the second half on the same standing as we did the first: all square.
42min: United are closing the half with a flurry of chances, many of which are stemming from Casemiro’s distribution.
He finds Fernandes in the box with a well-placed ball over the top but the captain can’t quite find Hojlund with his pass.
45mins: Four minutes added on to the end of the half.
43min: Sociedad look to be struggling with the pace of the pace of the game now - they have really run out of steam as halftime edges closer.
Errors are creeping into their game now - a wealth of misplaced passes and clumsy fouls preventing them from mounting too much of a challenge.
40min: Its end-to-end stuff at Old Trafford - we are in for an all-action end to the first half.
Former West Ham man Nayef Aguerd puts down the latest United push with a well-timed block, granting the hosts a corner.
Fernandes finds Dorgu at the edge of the box and he takes his shot on the volley but fires just over.
36min: Garnacho gets the crowd on their feet as he forces Sociedad into an error with a high press.
The twelfth man are making themselves heard tonight, drowning out the away contingent.
Our senior football correspondent Richard Jolly has the latest from Old Trafford:
“A frantic start here and a hugely entertaining one, too. Rasmus Hojlund has been influential and not merely by winning the penalty. The Dane is running behind the Sociedad defence with some purpose. He is also getting more service than usual and showing that, when he does, he can be a threat.”
30min: The man might well be cursed.
Zirkzee does incredibly well to break into the box before squaring a perfect ball to Rasmus Hojlund, who fires goalward, his shot rolling wide of the far post.
He screams with guttural frustration. As the cliche goes, he couldn’t buy a goal at the minute.
He’s getting in the right positions so far today, though. A goal cannot be far away.
26min: Heaven is absolutely fearless. He receives a short goal kick, opts against playing out from the back and drives past Oyarzabal, dropping the Sociedad captain to the floor in the process.
An assured debut from the youngster so far.
20min: Shouts for another penalty ring from the Stretford End as Remiro clatters Hojlund in the process of claiming a cross.
Looking at the replay there does not appear to be a foul committed, though the Dane did take a knock on the head and appears to be seeing stars, though he will continue.
18mins: That penalty really spares Hojlund his blushes.
He got the shot away before being taken out and saw his shot routinely saved, but the focus will be on Zubeldia’s rash tackle rather than his scuffed shot.
16mins: Fernandes tucks the penalty away after a very deliberate runup and caps the perfect response for United!
Exactly what the doctor ordered. We are honours even at Old Trafford, and the momentum is quite clearly behind the hosts now.
13min: Who could have seen that coming - Rasmus Hojlund wins a penalty!
He pelts into the box to meet Fernandes’ cross and is taken out by Zubeldia - the pen is clear as day.
Our senior football correspondent Richard Jolly has the latest from Old Trafford:
“Mikel Oyarzabal has a history of scoring against English opposition. After his late winner in the Euro 2024 final, an early penalty here. Judging from the noise the Sociedad fans are making, they are dreaming of a final in Bilbao, perhaps against Athletic Bilbao.”
10min: SOCIEDAD LEAD! Oyarzabal wins the penalty and dispatches it into the bottom right corner, sending Onana sailing the opposite direction.
An early lead for the visitors. United fans and players alike look a little nervous.
There is one positive, though - there is plenty of time to react.
8min: It is a surprisingly long check, but the referee points to the spot!
De LIgt looked to have made a tidy clearance, but upon closer inspection is seen to have cleared out the man before the ball.
A disaster start for Manchester United, unless Onana can redeem them.
8min: The referee heads to the monitor...
20:07 , Arthur Ferridge
7min: Sociedad go close! A low cross from Kubo looks for Oyarzabal, but De Ligt slides in to make a crucial intervention.
The Sociedad captain stays down in some discomfort, but he seems healthy enough to carry on.
VAR are checking for a potential pen, though...
5min: United’s first press forward is characteristically toothless. Garnacho swings a cross in and it bobbles into the arms of Remiro in goal for Sociedad.
Room for improvement!
3min: Heaven is getting involved early, making a smart interception to put down Sociedad’s first foray forward. It is a positive contribution in the early stages of his first senior start, but Sociedad are having the better of it early doors, earning a first corner already.
Sociedad get us underway at Old Trafford.
Sociedad don a dashing golden away strip. It will certainly be a performance worth treasuring if they can pull off a win here.
Just a couple of minutes to go until kick-off, and this is going to be a big one.
It is a potentially season-defining match for United, who are out of both domestic cups and cut well adrift of European places in the Premier League, languishing in 14th place.
It’ll be tricky to scrape together £2bn for a stadium without qualifying for Europe!
Plenty riding on this one, then. Let’s get into it.
Ruben Amorim speaks ahead of the match on his lineup choices, saying Ayden Heaven is ready for his first senior start while Rasmus Højlund just needs to break his duck.
On Heaven: “We always think that in the first games we need to be patient, but he showed real confidence. With all the problems we’ve had we trusted him to win this game.”
On Hoijlund’s goal drought: “He can score in the next game. That is always the idea and again we show a lot of good things he is doing for the team. He just needs a little confidence.”
Man United CEO Omar Berrada said he is planning to invest in the summer transfer market as he expects the club to compete in the Champions League next season.
“It's about planning properly for the summer transfer window, having clear idea about the type of players we want to bring in. We're making some big efforts to get us in the best financial position,” he said.
“I think, even if we're outside of Europe, we'll be in a position to invest in the squad. Our ambition is to win the Europa League to be in the Champions League next season, which we think is where we belong. There are a lot of people working very hard to put us in the best position possible this summer.”
He speaks as the Jim Ratcliffe ownership has faced heavy criticism for its transfer spending, which many fans see as somewhat misguided.
Ayden Heaven makes his first start for the club, with the injured Leny Yoro dropping out of the team.
Rasmus Hojlund, without a goal in his last 20 games, is back against a Sociedad side who are scarcely prolific.
The good news for them is Martin Zubimendi, who missed last week's first leg, is fit.
Paul Scholes is incredibly sceptical of Manchester United’s stadium project.
“It is all a bit pie in the sky,” the Manchester Untied legend told TNT Sports before kickoff after Omar Berrada outlines his plan to finance the club amid a £2bn investment in new facilities.
“Words are cheap,” he added. “I won’t believe it till I see it.”
Ruben Amorim has spoken out on Manchester United’s plans to build a new stadium.
Early images of the planned £2bn stadium were announced on Tuesday to great acclaim - the stadium’s distinctive silhouette, featuring three massive spires and a grand canopy, will house 100,000 fans.
Speaking before kick-off, Amorim called the stadium “very exciting,” but given his recent struggles, one must wonder whether he will ever coach there.
Man United CEO Omar Berrada adds that United will be financing the stadium, but says they are already preparing for the investment and planning to avoid impacting on-pitch performances.
“Nobody expects Man Utd to not be focused on the men’s team, but it is disappointing and surprising for a club of such history that has been forward thinking and world-leading not to be investing in one of the fastest growing areas in sport,” Carney tells TNT Sports.
“I thought they wanted to be the best in class, leaders in their field, for me it’s sad and I’m disappointed, I hope it changes.”
Continue reading...
Ruben Amorim’s side were held to a 1-1 draw in the opening leg in San Sebastian last week, with Joshua Zirkzee scoring the opener before Mikel Oyarzabal levelled proceedings with a late penalty. But they’ll need more of that magic against Real Sociedad, with this competition the final opportunity for the Red Devils to win silverware this season and rescue what has otherwise been a dismal campaign.
The visitors have been on a middling run of their own, having lost four of their last six games including a 1-0 loss to Sevilla in their last outing, and sit 11th in La Liga. But all the pressure is on United - especially after some of their players were labelled “overpaid” and “underperforming” by owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Follow updates from Manchester United v Real Sociedad in our live blog below:
Man Utd vs Real Sociedad - Europa League
- Man Utd eye place in quarter-finals after holding Spaniards 1-1 last week in first leg
- Man Utd XI: Onana, Dalot, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Heaven, Dorgu, Casemiro, Fernandes, Garnacho, Zirkzee, Hojlund
- Real Sociedad XI: Remiro, Elustondo, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz, Marin, Zubimendi, Mendez, Becker, Oyarzabal, Kubo
- 10' GOAL! Oyarzabal calmly converts penalty after clumsy De Ligt challenge [MUN 0-1 RSO]
- 16' GOAL! Bruno Fernandes penalty brings hosts level [MUN 1-1 RSO]
- 50' GOAL! Bruno Fernandes slots home from the spot to put United ahead [MUN 2-1 RSO]
Manchester United FC 2 - 1 Real Sociedad de Fútbol
Man Utd 2-1 Real Sociedad (3-2 Agg)
21:18 , Arthur Ferridge59min: United are very in gear now, and look to be enjoying themselves. Hojlund and Zirkzee are linking up well in attack - you can tell the former is desperate to end his goal drought tonight.
Man Utd 2-1 Real Sociedad (3-2 Agg)
21:1656min: When was the last time we were treated to three penalties in one match? What a spectacle.
Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert became the first player in Premier League history to score three penalties in one match back in November - could Fernandes match that feat tonight?
Patrick Dorgu praised for impact against Real Sociedad
21:14 , Jack RathbornA gripping tie and United have started fast this half, here’s Richard Jolly with the latest insight from Old Trafford:
“Dorgu won United's second penalty and he has been positive throughout, whether running forward or attempting a series of long-range shots. He isn't yet the most polished of players but this has been an encouraging night for the January signing.”
GOAL! Man Utd 2-1 Real Sociedad (3-2 Agg)
21:11 , Arthur Ferridge50min: Fernandes does what he does best and tucks the penalty away tidily.
A typically patient run-up followed by a hop, skip, jump, and he rolls it away from the keeper.
United lead on the night and in the tie - its the perfect time to score so soon after half time, and you cannot see United slipping up now.
PENALTY! Man Utd 1-1 Real Sociedad (2-2 Agg)
21:08 , Arthur Ferridge48min: Another penalty for United! Zirkzee sees his shot saved and Dorgu follows up on the rebound but he is tripped up by Elustondo!
The referee waits on it, has a think, and points to the spot.
Second Half: Man Utd 1-1 Real Sociedad (2-2 Agg)
21:05 , Arthur FerridgeWe’re back underway at Old Trafford! A season-defining 45 minutes await United - can they get this over the line?
Karen Carney calls on Sir Jim Ratcliffe to invest in Man Utd Women
20:59 , Arthur FerridgeSpeaking before the match, England legend Karen Carney again called on Sir Jim Ratcliffe to up his investment in Man United’s women’s side.
“Nobody expects Man Utd to not be focused on the men’s team, but it is disappointing and surprising for a club of such history that has been forward thinking and world-leading not to be investing in one of the fastest growing areas in sport,” Carney tells TNT Sports.
“I thought they wanted to be the best in class, leaders in their field, for me it’s sad and I’m disappointed, I hope it changes.”
The stats do not read kindly for either side
20:57 , Arthur FerridgeLooking at the halftime numbers, it is rather surprising that we have only seen penalty goals.
United and Sociedad have had 17 shots between them, six of which have been on target, generating a total of 1.08 non-penalty xG.
It is the hosts who have had more of the joy, though - Hojlund’s miss alone constitutes 0.52xG.
HALFTIME: Man Utd 1-1 Real Sociedad (2-2 Agg)
20:51 , Arthur FerridgeDe Ligt launches a cross-field ball to Zirkzee but overhits it, and it dribbles out of play to close the half.
We started with a flurry of action as two penalties went either way in the opening quarter of an hour, but neither side has been able to find the back of the net from open play as yet.
United have had the better of the opportunities, though, enjoying the better of the play after neutralizing Sociedad’s fast start.
Ultimately, we will head into the second half on the same standing as we did the first: all square.
Man Utd 1-1 Real Sociedad (2-2 Agg)
20:48 , Arthur Ferridge42min: United are closing the half with a flurry of chances, many of which are stemming from Casemiro’s distribution.
He finds Fernandes in the box with a well-placed ball over the top but the captain can’t quite find Hojlund with his pass.
Man Utd 1-1 Real Sociedad (2-2 Agg)
20:46 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: Four minutes added on to the end of the half.
Man Utd 1-1 Real Sociedad (2-2 Agg)
20:44 , Arthur Ferridge43min: Sociedad look to be struggling with the pace of the pace of the game now - they have really run out of steam as halftime edges closer.
Errors are creeping into their game now - a wealth of misplaced passes and clumsy fouls preventing them from mounting too much of a challenge.
Man Utd 1-1 Real Sociedad (2-2 Agg)
20:40 , Arthur Ferridge40min: Its end-to-end stuff at Old Trafford - we are in for an all-action end to the first half.
Former West Ham man Nayef Aguerd puts down the latest United push with a well-timed block, granting the hosts a corner.
Fernandes finds Dorgu at the edge of the box and he takes his shot on the volley but fires just over.
Man Utd 1-1 Real Sociedad (2-2 Agg)
20:3836min: Garnacho gets the crowd on their feet as he forces Sociedad into an error with a high press.
The twelfth man are making themselves heard tonight, drowning out the away contingent.
Rasmus Hojlund praised for early impact against Real Sociedad
20:33 , Jack RathbornOur senior football correspondent Richard Jolly has the latest from Old Trafford:
“A frantic start here and a hugely entertaining one, too. Rasmus Hojlund has been influential and not merely by winning the penalty. The Dane is running behind the Sociedad defence with some purpose. He is also getting more service than usual and showing that, when he does, he can be a threat.”
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Man Utd 1-1 Real Sociedad (2-2 Agg)
20:32 , Arthur Ferridge30min: The man might well be cursed.
Zirkzee does incredibly well to break into the box before squaring a perfect ball to Rasmus Hojlund, who fires goalward, his shot rolling wide of the far post.
He screams with guttural frustration. As the cliche goes, he couldn’t buy a goal at the minute.
He’s getting in the right positions so far today, though. A goal cannot be far away.
Man Utd 1-1 Real Sociedad (2-2 Agg)
20:27 , Arthur Ferridge26min: Heaven is absolutely fearless. He receives a short goal kick, opts against playing out from the back and drives past Oyarzabal, dropping the Sociedad captain to the floor in the process.
An assured debut from the youngster so far.
Man Utd 1-1 Real Sociedad (2-2 Agg)
20:20 , Arthur Ferridge20min: Shouts for another penalty ring from the Stretford End as Remiro clatters Hojlund in the process of claiming a cross.
Looking at the replay there does not appear to be a foul committed, though the Dane did take a knock on the head and appears to be seeing stars, though he will continue.
Man Utd 1-1 Real Sociedad (2-2 Agg)
20:18 , Arthur Ferridge18mins: That penalty really spares Hojlund his blushes.
He got the shot away before being taken out and saw his shot routinely saved, but the focus will be on Zubeldia’s rash tackle rather than his scuffed shot.
GOAL! Man Utd 1-1 Real Sociedad (2-2 Agg)
20:16 , Arthur Ferridge16mins: Fernandes tucks the penalty away after a very deliberate runup and caps the perfect response for United!
Exactly what the doctor ordered. We are honours even at Old Trafford, and the momentum is quite clearly behind the hosts now.
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PENALTY! Man Utd 0-1 Real Sociedad (1-2 Agg)
20:15 , Arthur Ferridge13min: Who could have seen that coming - Rasmus Hojlund wins a penalty!
He pelts into the box to meet Fernandes’ cross and is taken out by Zubeldia - the pen is clear as day.
Man Utd 0-1 Real Sociedad (1-2 Agg)
20:13 , Jack RathbornOur senior football correspondent Richard Jolly has the latest from Old Trafford:
“Mikel Oyarzabal has a history of scoring against English opposition. After his late winner in the Euro 2024 final, an early penalty here. Judging from the noise the Sociedad fans are making, they are dreaming of a final in Bilbao, perhaps against Athletic Bilbao.”
GOAL - Man Utd 0-1 Real Sociedad (1-2 Agg)
20:11 , Arthur Ferridge10min: SOCIEDAD LEAD! Oyarzabal wins the penalty and dispatches it into the bottom right corner, sending Onana sailing the opposite direction.
An early lead for the visitors. United fans and players alike look a little nervous.
There is one positive, though - there is plenty of time to react.
PENALTY - Man Utd 0-0 Real Sociedad (1-1 Agg)
20:09 , Arthur Ferridge8min: It is a surprisingly long check, but the referee points to the spot!
De LIgt looked to have made a tidy clearance, but upon closer inspection is seen to have cleared out the man before the ball.
A disaster start for Manchester United, unless Onana can redeem them.
Man Utd 0-0 Real Sociedad (1-1 Agg)
20:08 , Arthur Ferridge8min: The referee heads to the monitor...
20:07 , Arthur Ferridge
7min: Sociedad go close! A low cross from Kubo looks for Oyarzabal, but De Ligt slides in to make a crucial intervention.
The Sociedad captain stays down in some discomfort, but he seems healthy enough to carry on.
VAR are checking for a potential pen, though...
Man Utd 0-0 Real Sociedad (1-1 Agg)
20:06 , Arthur Ferridge5min: United’s first press forward is characteristically toothless. Garnacho swings a cross in and it bobbles into the arms of Remiro in goal for Sociedad.
Room for improvement!
Man Utd 0-0 Real Sociedad (1-1 Agg)
20:03 , Arthur Ferridge3min: Heaven is getting involved early, making a smart interception to put down Sociedad’s first foray forward. It is a positive contribution in the early stages of his first senior start, but Sociedad are having the better of it early doors, earning a first corner already.
KICK OFF: Man Utd 0-0 Real Sociedad (1-1 Agg)
20:01 , Arthur FerridgeSociedad get us underway at Old Trafford.
Sociedad don a dashing golden away strip. It will certainly be a performance worth treasuring if they can pull off a win here.
Man Utd vs Real Sociedad
19:59 , Jack Rathborn
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You must be registered for see images attach
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Feeling the nerves yet, United fans?
19:57 , Arthur FerridgeJust a couple of minutes to go until kick-off, and this is going to be a big one.
It is a potentially season-defining match for United, who are out of both domestic cups and cut well adrift of European places in the Premier League, languishing in 14th place.
It’ll be tricky to scrape together £2bn for a stadium without qualifying for Europe!
Plenty riding on this one, then. Let’s get into it.
Amorim on team news, Heaven, and Højlund
19:53 , Arthur FerridgeRuben Amorim speaks ahead of the match on his lineup choices, saying Ayden Heaven is ready for his first senior start while Rasmus Højlund just needs to break his duck.
On Heaven: “We always think that in the first games we need to be patient, but he showed real confidence. With all the problems we’ve had we trusted him to win this game.”
On Hoijlund’s goal drought: “He can score in the next game. That is always the idea and again we show a lot of good things he is doing for the team. He just needs a little confidence.”
Man Utd CEO makes vow over summer transfer window
19:45 , Arthur FerridgeMan United CEO Omar Berrada said he is planning to invest in the summer transfer market as he expects the club to compete in the Champions League next season.
“It's about planning properly for the summer transfer window, having clear idea about the type of players we want to bring in. We're making some big efforts to get us in the best financial position,” he said.
“I think, even if we're outside of Europe, we'll be in a position to invest in the squad. Our ambition is to win the Europa League to be in the Champions League next season, which we think is where we belong. There are a lot of people working very hard to put us in the best position possible this summer.”
He speaks as the Jim Ratcliffe ownership has faced heavy criticism for its transfer spending, which many fans see as somewhat misguided.
After a hellish season, Manchester United turn to Heaven
19:37 , Richard JollyAyden Heaven makes his first start for the club, with the injured Leny Yoro dropping out of the team.
Rasmus Hojlund, without a goal in his last 20 games, is back against a Sociedad side who are scarcely prolific.
The good news for them is Martin Zubimendi, who missed last week's first leg, is fit.
Scholes rips into new stadium project: "Pie in the sky"
19:29 , Arthur FerridgePaul Scholes is incredibly sceptical of Manchester United’s stadium project.
“It is all a bit pie in the sky,” the Manchester Untied legend told TNT Sports before kickoff after Omar Berrada outlines his plan to finance the club amid a £2bn investment in new facilities.
“Words are cheap,” he added. “I won’t believe it till I see it.”
New stadium "very exciting" for Amorim
19:26 , Arthur FerridgeRuben Amorim has spoken out on Manchester United’s plans to build a new stadium.
Early images of the planned £2bn stadium were announced on Tuesday to great acclaim - the stadium’s distinctive silhouette, featuring three massive spires and a grand canopy, will house 100,000 fans.
Speaking before kick-off, Amorim called the stadium “very exciting,” but given his recent struggles, one must wonder whether he will ever coach there.
Man United CEO Omar Berrada adds that United will be financing the stadium, but says they are already preparing for the investment and planning to avoid impacting on-pitch performances.
Karen Carney calls on Sir Jim Ratcliffe to invest in Man Utd Women
19:16 , Jack Rathborn“Nobody expects Man Utd to not be focused on the men’s team, but it is disappointing and surprising for a club of such history that has been forward thinking and world-leading not to be investing in one of the fastest growing areas in sport,” Carney tells TNT Sports.
“I thought they wanted to be the best in class, leaders in their field, for me it’s sad and I’m disappointed, I hope it changes.”
Continue reading...
