Rúben Amorim told he “missed a trick” by not using Manchester United’s star’s best attribute vs Real Sociedad

Rúben Amorim has been told he missed a trick by not using one Manchester United player’s best attribute during their 1-1 Europa League draw with Real Sociedad.

Manchester United’s Europa League knockout tie with Real Sociedad remains finely poised after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. Joshua Zirkzee fired United ahead in the second half, but Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty ensured the spoils were shared in Spain.

United started confidently, controlling possession and dictating the tempo, yet struggled to create clear openings. Their best chance of the first half came in the 37th minute when both Zirkzee and Bruno Fernandes saw efforts blocked on the line. Sociedad grew into the contest but failed to capitalise before the break.

Amorim’s side took the lead early in the second half, with Zirkzee finishing off a precise cut-back from Alejandro Garnacho. However, United’s advantage was short-lived, as Fernandes was penalised for handball, allowing Oyarzabal to level from the spot with 20 minutes remaining.

Chasing a late winner, Amorim introduced Christian Eriksen for Garnacho, but it was Sociedad who looked the more dangerous in the closing moments. A crucial save from André Onana preserved the draw, leaving everything to play for in the second leg at Old Trafford.

Scholes says Amorim missed a trick vs Sociedad

While Zirkzee hammered in his first European goal for United, Rasmus Højlund went yet another game without a goal, meaning he has failed to score in his last 19 appearances for the club.

However, it is hard to blame him too much for not scoring against Sociedad, with the Danish international barely being supplied with chances despite the opportunity to do so from Diogo Dalot.

Former United midfielder Paul Scholes was on duty after the fixture and explained that he felt Amorim missed a trick by not using Højlund’s speed, known for being one of the player’s best attributes, against a slow opposition back line.

“Højlund, again, didn’t really look that much of a goal threat,” Scholes said on TNT Sports when analysing the striker’s display in Spain. “I thought he was quicker than that.

“I thought they missed a little bit of a trick; Manchester United just didn’t get him in behind. He can run on to it because he was quicker than them. I don’t think they [Real Sociedad] have got much pace.

“He’s got to actually maybe pick up a little, doesn’t he? I don’t know. He didn’t look like we’ve seen him [before].”

What Amorim said about Højlund’s performance

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Amorim was asked about Højlund’s performance, to which he praised the player’s relentless work ethic despite not finding the back of the net.

Read More: “Comfortable…” Paul Scholes impressed by Manchester United duo who ran the game vs Real Sociedad

“He’s trying really hard, he gave everything, to make runs,” Amorim told the press in Spain. “We knew Sociedad defend with high lines, he used that to fight, he has to continue to play, not be anxious. He needs to think in the case of the next game.”

Speaking more generally about the need for United to score more goals, he said: “That is clear, we are creating chances, sometimes you don’t see it in the xG because we manage not to shoot. We have great opportunities, transitions.”

United are the only team still in European competition to remain unbeaten, having won four and drawing five of their nine Europa League fixture so far this season.

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