Zirkzee bemoans ‘unlucky’ decision as Man United draw at Sociedad | OneFootball

Joshua Zirkzee believes Manchester United were ‘unlucky’ after being held to draw at Real Sociedad in the Europa League.

Ruben Amorim’s side drew 1-1 with the Spanish side in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday. United opened the scoring on 57 minutes when Zirkzee fired home his first European goal. The Dutchman strode onto Alejandro Garnacho’s cutback to steer in a low finish from the edge of the area.

United were the better side for the opening hour but were pegged back through Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty, awarded after a VAR review, following a handball by Bruno Fernandes.

Sociedad were lifted by their equaliser and had chances to win it late on. Orri Oskarsson stabbed wide from close range before the 20-year-old forced Andre Onana into an impressive late save with another effort.

United will start the second leg as favourites to progress at Old Trafford but Zirkzee believes his side were unfortunate to not come away from San Sebastien with an advantage.

“We were unlucky with the pen,” he told TNT Sports.

“I’m not sure what happened there. But it just shows we have to be relentless with our chances, we had enough of them today. A draw, away, they have to come to Old Trafford.

“I think if you look at the chances, and the opportunities, I think yes [we deserved to win]. Playing against a good footballing team, so of course it’s not easy, but I think in the end we should have at least had one more.

“The team really needed it [my goal], happy but in the end we have to win and we didn’t today, so we’re just going to focus on the next games and be better than we were today.

“If you see the way the stadium reacts to the penalty, and the way they pressed after the goal, it’s obvious that they needed it. But feel like we can do better and remain calm, we lost it a bit after that.”

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