Player Ratings: Man Utd vs Real Sociedad
Here’s how each Manchester United player performed during the Europa League clash against Real Sociedad:
Andre Onana – 5/10
Onana didn’t have too much to do in terms of shot-stopping, but his distribution left much to be desired. A few poor passes put his defense under pressure, and his decision-making on the ball could have been better.
Leny Yoro – 6/10
The young defender was solid throughout the game, maintaining composure on and off the ball. Yoro made sure to stay focused and dealt with Real Sociedad’s attack with minimal fuss, earning a steady performance rating.
Matthijs de Ligt – 7/10
De Ligt was a standout in defense, anchoring the backline and making a crucial intervention before halftime. His defensive presence was massive, especially when he made a timely touch to deny Sociedad a chance to take the lead. A rock in the defense.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6/10
Mazraoui delivered a decent performance, keeping the threat from Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo at bay. His defensive work was solid, but he didn’t have as much of an impact going forward. Overall, a reliable display.
Diogo Dalot – 4/10
Dalot’s performance was underwhelming, particularly when playing as a wing-back. His struggles in the final third were evident, especially when he failed to provide a crucial cross for Hojlund. Despite playing a role in United’s opening goal, he didn’t deliver enough in attacking situations.
Casemiro – 6/10
Casemiro played one of his better games in recent weeks, benefiting from Sociedad’s lack of pace and physicality. He provided a few excellent line-breaking passes and made several key defensive contributions, showcasing his value in the midfield.
Bruno Fernandes – 6/10
Fernandes had a mixed performance. While he was positive in many of his actions, he missed an opportunity to score, with his shot blocked by a Sociedad defender. His mistake that led to a penalty for Sociedad, however, was unfortunate and somewhat harsh, though it allowed the hosts to equalize.
Patrick Dorgu – 5/10
Dorgu had an up-and-down performance. He overlapped frequently, trying to provide crosses into the box, but there were a few sloppy moments, and his final ball lacked quality at times. Despite an issue that seemed to affect him, he soldiered on and maintained a solid defensive performance.
Joshua Zirkzee – 8/10
Zirkzee was the standout player of the match. His superb finish gave United the lead just before the hour mark, and although he missed another promising opportunity in the first half, his link-up play and ability to hold the ball up were impressive. A dominant and clinical presence in attack.
Final Thoughts: Manchester United’s performance against Real Sociedad saw some positives and negatives. De Ligt and Zirkzee were the clear heroes of the match, while the likes of Dalot and Fernandes will look back at missed chances and key mistakes. Overall, it was a game filled with mixed performances, but United will need to improve in the second leg if they are to progress in the Europa League.
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