SportFootballThe Europa League is Man Utd’s final chance for silverware this season after their FA Cup exit last weekend
Ruben Amorim aware of ‘consequences’ if Manchester United’s poor form continues
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Manchester United are in San Sebastian tonight for the first leg of their last-16 Europa League clash with Real Sociedad.
It’s last chance saloon for Ruben Amorim’s side, who were knocked out of the FA Cup in the fifth round on Sunday. Their loss to Fulham, which went to penalties, brought an end to their cup title defence and means the Europa League is their final hope for silverware this season.
Happily for Amorim, the Europa League has been one slightly brighter spot in the Red Devils’ underwhelming season. They finished third in the league phase and are the only unbeaten team left in the competition, while their opponents come into this tie reeling from 1-0 and 4-0 defeats to Real Madrid and Barcelona in their last two matches.
Injuries and a smaller squad could factor into how tonight’s match plays out but if United can avoid defeat they’ll have a strong chance at progressing from the tie with the second leg at Old Trafford.
Follow all the Champions League action with our live blog below:
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd18 mins: Oh hello!
Benat Turrientes goes on a fine run and dances around Bruno Fernandes before coming inside.
He’s got an eye for goal but miscues his shot and scuffs it well wide of the target.
Mike Jones6 March 2025 18:04
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd15 mins: Mikel Oyarzabal receives the ball and turns just outside the box.
He slips a pass through to Take Kubo who loses it on the right side of the box allowing United to scoop it away.
Mike Jones6 March 2025 18:01
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd12 mins: Fernandes’ corner kick is swung into the box but easily cleared away.
The visitors have started well and are controlling possession which is what Ruben Amorim wanted before the match.
Good signs early on here for the Red Devils.
Garnacho is given the ball on the counter-attack. He runs into the box, weaves in between a couple of defenders then pings a shot into the arms of Alex Remiro.
Mike Jones6 March 2025 17:57
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd9 mins: Diogo Dalot slips the ball down the right and sends Hojlund running in behind.
The striker gets clipped twice but the referee lets play continue which frustrates the visitors.
United recover the ball and win themselves a corner.
Mike Jones6 March 2025 17:55
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd6 mins: A quick break from United sees Zirkzee drive the ball through the middle of the pitch.
He releases it into the feet of Rasmus Hojlund who carries it into the box and looks for Garnacho with his cutback.
The pass is intercepted and cleared away.
Mike Jones6 March 2025 17:51
Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd3 mins: Alejandro Garnacho has started out on the right wing for United with Zirkzee taking up a similar role on the left.
These early stages find both teams trying to fight for possession and take control of proceedings.
Mike Jones6 March 2025 17:48
Kick off! Real Sociedad 0-0 Man UtdRuben Amorim’s men kick off the match in Spain and boot the ball over to the left wing towards Joshua Zirkzee.
He’s beaten to the ball by Aritz Elustondo who clears the danger.
Mike Jones6 March 2025 17:46
Real Sociedad vs Man UtdThe teams make their way out onto the pitch.
Man Utd have as strong a line-up as they can field. Can they perform tonight?
Kick off is up next…
Mike Jones6 March 2025 17:45
Why is Chido Obi not in Manchester United’s Europa League squad?Young Manchester United striker Chido Obi is unable to play a part in his side’s remaining Europa League matches as he was not included in the club’s updated squad list for the competition.
The 17-year-old impressed in his cameo during the FA Cup defeat to Fulham, and while he is still a raw talent, fans were hopeful of seeing more of him as the club fight in Europe for the last chance at silverware this season.
Mike Jones6 March 2025 17:35
United on targetMan Utd are averaging 18.8 shots per game in the Europa League this season, the most of any side still in the competition and their best ratio in a European season on record (since 2003-04).
They also have the highest average sequence time (12.9 seconds), passes per sequence (4.5) and possession (61.2%).
Mike Jones6 March 2025 17:30
