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Follow all the action as Manchester United face Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, live on talk SPORT. This competition represents Man United's only chance of getting into the Champions League as they continue to struggle domestically. It would also give Ruben Amorim the chance to win a trophy, with the FA Cup no longer an option after losing to Fulham. However, getting through to the quarter-finals won't be easy as Sociedad thrashed Midtjylland 7-3 on aggregate to set this tie up. You can follow all the action in our live blog below. .. 53' Man United come so close to an opener! Joshua Zirkzee flicks the ball out to Patrick Dorgu who fires in a low cross through some bodies in the six-yard box. .. It somehow avoids everyone and falls to Alejandro Garnacho before the Argentinian misses the target at the back post. That was a tight angle, but instead of playing the ball back into Rasmus Hojlund, he could only hit the side-netting. Darren Bent live on talk SPORT: "Garnacho, decision-making again. "If he just cuts that back, Hojlund taps it in. He needed to get his head up and not go for the glory. " 51' The first booking of the game comes out. Igor Zubeldia cynically pulls Rasmus Hojlund's shirt. Bruno Fernandes asks for a red card as Hojlund was about to break free on goal, but it's just a yellow. And rightly so, as three Real Sociedad defenders were going to be there in time to potentially cut the run off. From the free-kick, Fernandes' shot goes wide. 48' That's more like it from the hosts. Takefusa Kubo skips down the right-hand side before he drills a very dangerous cross into the box. Mikel Oyarzabal is there and looks like he can just finish from close range but Leny Yoro gets across to clear well. The referee doesn't spot that though, and awards a goal-kick. 46' We're back underway! Can Man United grab a goal to win this first leg? Or will Real Sociedad up their game in the final third to find a way through the United defence for an opener? Here are the scores from the other early kick-offs in the Europa League, with Chelsea drawing 0-0 in the Conference League: The half-time whistle blows. That wasn't the most entertaining half of football, but Man United will be pleased with the game so far. They've had the better chances and a draw would suit United more in this Europa League last 16 tie. Real Sociedad haven't had a shot on target and Ruben Amorim should be happy with his side's defending. A goal in this clash will really open things up, but which team will get it? We'll find out after the break. 45' Matthijs de Ligt does well to step in. Real Sociedad finally get some bodies in and around the box and a pass is slotted into the penalty area. .. But De Ligt gets in to poke out for a corner. From the corner, home penalty appeals are waved away. We're into three added minutes until the break. 43' Another great chance for Man United! Bruno Fernandes clips in a dangerous cross and it finds Diogo Dalot who had moved into the penalty area. He leaps above West Ham loanee Nayef Aguerd and wins the header, but Alex Remiro saves and collects the ball. United have looked the better team this evening. 40' Diogo Dalot avoids a yellow card. He brings Aihen Munoz down and gets a talking to from the referee, so his next foul will likely bring a booking. Real Sociedad continue to struggle when coming forward, with Dalot ending their latest attack with that foul. Man United are now on the ball and probing. 37' That's the best opportunity of the game! Man United should be in front! It's a proper melee in the six-yard box, as Bruno Fernandes' shot is blocked before Joshua Zirkzee sees two efforts cleared. Fernandes should be doing better there, as he fires into defenders after a cut back into space in the penalty area. Real Sociedad survive. .. Darren Bent live on talk SPORT: "That's the first bit of quality from United and by Bruno's standards, he's got to do better. " 33' Patrick Dorgu looks okay to continue. He's been back up and running for a few minutes now. But the game remains very slow with not much urgency. That suits Man United more than it does Real Sociedad. 30' Half an hour into this first leg. It's certainly not been a thrilling affair so far. Multiple injuries have slowed things down and it's not allowed any momentum to be built for both teams. However, Man United will be pleased with that and they've not had to work too hard to deal with Real Sociedad. It's been a decent United performance. Darren Bent live on talk SPORT: "Sociedad have looked so comfortable up until the final third. "It looks nice, but they're doing nothing with it. They're not making Man United think. It's been easy for United so far. " 27' Andre Onana is having an easy evening. And Man United will want it to stay that way, especially considering the goalkeeper's recent errors. .. He's not had to make a save yet with the hosts struggling to create any chances in the game so far. Patrick Dorgu has just gone down for United and this is concerning as he's sat on the pitch off the ball. If he has to go off, Ruben Amorim has a real lack of replacements. 24' We've just had a slight pause in play. Any players who are observing Ramadan were allowed a small break to break their fast on the sidelines. After play restarts, the game remains a battle. Neither side have had prolonged spells on the ball and we're yet to have a major chance at either end. Aritz Elustondo looks to have potentially picked up an issue, so that could be a concern for Real Sociedad. 21' There's half a chance for Man United. Diogo Dalot is brilliantly played in down the right and he breaks into the box, with Rasmus Hojlund across from him. But the wing-back decides against passing to Hojlund and cuts in, before the move slows down. Patrick Dorgu then receives a pass on the edge before firing high and wide with his weaker right foot. Darren Bent live on talk SPORT: "If you look at Hojlund, he's not happy at all. And rightly so. " 18' Both teams are just missing that final piece so far. We've seen some neat build-up but not much quality from then on, with no joy being had in the final thirds. The home support groan as Takefusa Kubo loses possession on the right wing and Man United look to break. Benat Turrientes has just fired wide for the hosts too. Darren Bent live on talk SPORT: "If you can give the United attack the right service, the Sociedad defence won't be able to deal with it. " 15' A quarter of an hour gone. Man United will be pleased with their start, and they're dealing well with the high press of Real Sociedad. Garnacho's chance has been the best for either side so far. The hosts look very spritely on and off the ball, but they're yet to cause any problems to this United defence. 12' From that corner, Real Sociedad clear. Another cross then comes in and finds Leny Yoro whose flick is deflected into the hands of Alex Remiro. Rasmus Hojlund then lays off Alejandro Garnacho on the next attack and Remiro is there again to save easily. Man United are growing in confidence in Spain. Darren Bent live on talk SPORT: "The link-up between Dorgu, Fernandes and Hojlund looks good. "Hojlund is looking sharp. " 9' Man United make their first move forward. Rasmus Hojlund holds the ball up very well. He's brought down and appeals for a foul but nothing is given, so he gets straight back up to fight for it. That attack ends up breaking down until the next move forward ends in a corner and a potential chance for United. 6' It's been a very stop-start clash so far. Foul after foul is being made from both teams and neither side have been able to settle into the tie. Real Sociedad are pressing very high and getting right onto Man United when they're in possession. United will have to be inch perfect to avoid losing the ball in dangerous positions. 3' A couple of early fouls conceded by Man United. Alejandro Garnacho and Noussair Mazraoui commit them. Mazrouai is playing on the left of the back three while Patrick Dorgu is in front of him at wing-back. Diogo Dalot is at right wing-back. 1' We're underway in Spain! The Real Sociedad fans are creating a superb atmosphere, with every fan standing to sing their anthem before kick-off. They'll believe they can win this tie. But Man United have to come out on top to keep their season alive, so winning this first leg would be a perfect start. Here we go, kick-off is only a few moments away. A reminder that you can listen to live coverage of the game on talk SPORT, with Andy Goldstein your host. Commentary will be coming from Jim Proudfoot and former England striker Darren Bent. To tune in to talk SPORT or talk SPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.   You can also listen via the talk SPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM. Stick with us here too, as we'll have minute-by-minute updates. Ruben Amorim knows how important winning the Europa League is for Manchester United this season. The United boss doesn't believe getting his hands on the trophy is critical, but he does understand the benefits it would have. "I think it's not the crucial thing for the future of the club, " Amorim said ahead of this game. "That is my view.   “I'm here for three months and I think that is clear, but I understand it’s a massive difference in our season, especially because we are out of the cups and in a bad position in the league. “That [winning the Europa League] could change a lot of things, even the way they see the coach.   “So I know it's a massive pressure but I will say it again: Manchester United can call all the best players, even without Champions League in the future.   “We have to change a lot of things and we’re trying to do that. There’s more important things than winning cups in this moment.   “That is my feeling, but I understand winning Europa League can change everything for us in the next season. " We're 10 minutes away from kick-off in Spain. .. Many have tipped Real Sociedad to be the favourites in this Europa League last 16 tie against Man United. But manager Imanol Alguacil has shut down those claims, saying anyone who believes that 'doesn't know what football is'. Alguacil said: "They are a great team in Europe, with a great history, and that we are able to face them these years is a positive thing. They have a great team with a great coach. "In the league, they are not having results, but in play they are doing things well, different.   “I expect a tough opponent – not because of their history, but because of their players. It will be very difficult and we will have to give everything to compete. "If someone has us as favourites, they don't know what football is and what we have in front of us.   “Despite the injuries they have, they have great players, and I am not going to lack respect for a team like this. " © 2025 talk SPORT Limited

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