SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain – Ruben Amorim left Spain on Thursday night with Manchester United’s Europa League ambitions still alive following a respectable 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad. However, the outcome could have been far better.
Had United been more clinical in front of goal, the tie might already be decided before the second leg at Old Trafford next week. Instead, the contest remains open, and Sociedad—despite their own scoring struggles—will travel to Manchester confident they can reach the quarterfinals of a major European tournament for the first time since 1989.
Such an achievement would be historic for Sociedad, but with a trophy and a Champions League spot at stake, United are equally desperate to advance.
“It could be better, but could be worse because in the last 20 minutes I thought the team were really tired,” Amorim said.
“I felt the team was in control of the game and after the goal we were so near to the second goal with transitions. You felt in the stadium they were nervous. But in the end, when momentum changes, we get tired more easily. We take the game to Old Trafford and try to win there.”
Admittedly, the competition isn’t fierce, but you could argue that for 70 minutes, this was one of Manchester United’s best displays under Ruben Amorim.
Despite traveling to Spain with a depleted squad—leaving the Portuguese coach with only five outfield players on the bench—United played with a level of control and composure that has often been lacking.
Given that the match featured the Premier League’s sixth-lowest scorers against LaLiga’s third-lowest, it was perhaps no surprise that the score remained 0-0 at halftime.
Still, United were the stronger side in the first half, creating the only clear opportunity when Bruno Fernandes’ shot was blocked on the line by Aritz Elustondo. The game highlighted United’s ongoing struggles in front of goal.
One telling moment came when Diogo Dalot had the chance to deliver a cross to Rasmus Højlund but hesitated and passed backward, leaving Højlund frustrated and waving his arms in anger. The Danish striker, who hasn’t scored since December, failed to register a single shot against Sociedad.
“It was a clear position, Rasmus did really well, Dalot did really well, but the decision was not the best,” Amorim said.
“We are creating chances but sometimes you don’t see it in the xG because we manage not to shoot, but the great opportunity is there and you can see it.
“We have transitions, we have situations and sometimes we are missing something. That can change something, especially in these kinds of games where we need goals. That can make a difference.”
Sociedad had their own issues and were without their star player, Martín Zubimendi.
The midfielder—who is expected to join Arsenal this summer—missed the game due to illness, and in his absence, La Real found it difficult to create chances for much of the match.
Manchester United aren’t exactly clinical themselves and required a bit of luck to break the deadlock just before the hour mark.
A well-worked move between Diogo Dalot and Alejandro Garnacho set up Joshua Zirkzee, whose shot from the edge of the box flew into the net. Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro won’t be eager to watch the replay—it was a powerful strike, but only he will know how it found the center of the goal. Whether he was unsighted or caught off guard, it was a shot he should have stopped.
Zirkzee, with only one other goal in 2025, doesn’t have the luxury of caring how they go in.
“He deserved it because he is working really well,” Amorim said.
“He’s improving a lot of things in his game, he deserved this moment and he was really important for us today.”
With a 1-0 lead, the tie was there for the taking. As Sociedad grew tired and their fans at the Reale Arena grew restless, a sharp final 30 minutes could have put Manchester United on the verge of the quarterfinals.
However, promising opportunities were wasted, and Alejandro Garnacho missed two chances to widen the gap. Then, in an instant, the game shifted.
Video assistant referee Pol van Boekel was the only one to notice Bruno Fernandes’ arm blocking Nayef Aguerd’s header. After reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor, Slovakian referee Ivan Kruzliak awarded a penalty. The decision seemed harsh, but Amorim rarely comments on calls he disagrees with.
Mikel Oyarzabal wrong-footed André Onana with his penalty, and a game Manchester United had been controlling quickly turned chaotic. In the final five minutes, Sociedad created two clear chances to snatch a win, leading Ruben Amorim to admit that the result “could have been worse.”
It’s been a familiar pattern during Amorim’s early days as United manager—moments of promise overshadowed by lingering concerns. Now, he can only hope his team won’t regret missed opportunities when the tie concludes at Old Trafford next week.
