Manchester United had one foot in the driver’s seat before VAR slammed the brakes. Joshua Zirkzee’s cool, clinical finish had put them ahead, and for a while, they looked set to take a crucial first-leg lead back to Old Trafford. But then, football happened.
A Bruno Fernandes handball spotted only by VAR gifted Real Sociedad a penalty, and Mikel Oyarzabal made no mistake, hammering it past Andre Onana. That changed everything. Suddenly, United were holding on for dear life, gasping for control as Sociedad threw everything forward.
Enter Onana. With Sociedad’s Orri Oskarsson staring at a late winner, Onana pulled off a world-class, gravity-defying save, stretching out his left hand to keep United alive. A jaw-dropping moment. A point-saving stop.
Ruben Amorim’s United showed promise but still looked like a team searching for sharpness. Missed chances haunted them Dalot, Garnacho, and Hojlund all had moments they’ll want back. “We were in control… so close to the second,” Amorim said, clearly frustrated. “But the penalty changed everything.”
So, United return to Old Trafford level, still in the fight, but knowing they need to be sharper. Zirkzee stepped up, Onana saved them, but can they finish the job in the second leg? Buckle up.
