Soccer
'It could have been worse!' - Ruben Amorim not completely disappointed with Man Utd draw at Real Sociedad
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Real Sociedad and Manchester United will head into next week's second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie in a deadlock, after drawing 1-1 at the Reale Arena on Thursday.
As the scoreline suggested, there wasn't much separating the sides in the first leg, but United will feel disappointed that they couldn't hold on to the lead after Joshua Zirkzee scored in the 57th minute to put the visitors ahead.
The advantage would last barely more than 10 minutes as United captain Bruno Fernandes was judged by VAR to have handled the ball inside the Red Devils' penalty area in the 68th minute, giving Real Sociedad a chance to equalise.
Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up to the spot and made no mistake on his attempt, levelling the match and bringing the Spanish side back into the tie.
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For United manager Ruben Amorim, the result was not what his side were looking for, but he's also glad that the club came away with a draw.
“It could be better, but it could have been worse," Amorim said. "When the momentum changed, we got tired more easily."
Zirkzee agree with his manager's assessment that United were architects of their own fate, although he pinned the penalty call on misfortune.
"I think we were unlucky with the penalty," the goalscorer told TNT Sports. "It shows we have to be relentless with our chances.
"We had enough of them today. In the end a draw, away, they have to come to Old Trafford [next week]."
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