Diogo Dalot shocker, Leny Yoro crucial: Man United player ratings v Real Sociedad
Man United played out a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie on Thursday (6 March).
Defeat to Fulham in the FA Cup on Sunday (2 March) means the Europa League is now the only trophy the Red Devils can win this season.
It had also left many Man United fans calling for the sacking of manager Ruben Amorim, meaning he will have been desperate for a positive result in this match.
After a goalless first-half, it was the visitors who took the lead 12 minutes after the break, as a pull-back to the edge of the area from Alejandro Garnacho was fired in with a first time shot by Joshua Zirkzee.
However, Man United found themselves pegged back with 20 minutes of normal time remaining when VAR spotteed a handball by Bruno Fernandes inside his own area.
That then allowed Mikel Oyarzabal to level from the spot, blasting his penalty past Andre Onana in the visitors’ goal.
Having pulled level, it was Sociedad who then looked more likely to get the winner, although they were unable to do so, meaning the two sides will go into the second leg at Old Trafford next week level at 1-1.
| Man United last five games | Result |
| Tottenham (A) | Lost 1-0 |
| Everton (A) | Drew 2-2 |
| Ipswich (H) | Won 3-2 |
| Fulham (H) | Drew 1-1 (lost 4-3 on penalties) |
| Real Sociedad (A) | Drew 1-1 |
Here is how Football Insider rated the performances of the Man United squad in that clash with Real Sociedad.
Andre Onana – 7
Made some big saves late on after being beaten by the penalty, otherwise this was a night where he commanded his area well when dealing with balls in from Sociedad.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
A fairly steady night where he didn’t have a great deal to do with the hosts offering little in attack for the majority of the match.
Matthijs de Ligt – 6
Helped to control the back line well, albeit Man United rarely looked truly threatened until after the equaliser from the spot.
Leny Yoro – (off for Lindelof, ’87) 8 – Player of the Match
On what was for large parts a surprisingly easy night from a defensive perspective, the young defender still made some important interventions that proved vital in keeping his side level including to do enough to prevent Oskarsson from putting Sociedad in front. Starting to look the part.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Wasted an excellent opportunity to tee up Hojlund early on and never seemed entirely comfortable or effective from then on in. Hard to see how he justifies a place, even in this side.
Casemiro – 5
Showed his age again early on when Sociedad threatened to overrun Man United in midfield.
Handball proves costly for Ruben Amorim’s side
Bruno Fernandes – 5
After a worrying start, the captain did grow into the game to help his side take control, but gave away a costly penalty that allowed Sociedad to equalise. United’s best player still frustrates as often as he thrills.
Patrick Dorgu – 6
After Dorgu was sent off for Man United in their win over Ipswich, the January signing returned to the starting lineup here, and did look to offer an option on the left, but with mixed results.
Joshua Zirkzee – (off for Collyer, ’87) 7
Again worked hard for his side and got his reward with a well-taken finish to put his side into the lead, offering some redemption after his decisive miss in the shootout against Fulham.
Rasmus Hojlund – 6
Going into this game, Hojlund saw his future at Man United questioned amid his long run without a goal, and he will have been frustrated not to have been set up for a tap in by Dalot in the first half, worked hard even so.
Alejandro Garnacho (off for Eriksen, ’77) – 7
Garnacho found himself apologising to Man United fans after the defeat to Fulham, and helped to make up for that with a nice assist for Zirkzee. Also one of those who looked most threatening by actually creating space for some efforts of his own.
Substitutes limited with a young Man United bench
Christian Eriksen (on for Garnacho, 77) – 6
Unable to really impose himself in the centre of the park after coming on for Garnacho late on.
Victor Lindelof (on for Yoro, ’87) – 5
Introduced to see the game out defensively late on.
Toby Collyer (on for Zirkzee, ’87) – 5
Another outing for the youngster amid the absence of a number of senior options through injury.