'Criminal' error at United: 'Every reason to give him a full blast'

Manchester United left an unexpectedly strong impression in the Basque Country, with the BBC noting that Rúben Amorim’s side finally showed glimpses of the structured, disciplined football the Portuguese manager has been trying to implement since his arrival.

The performance in the 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad was, for large stretches, United’s most composed European display in months. After the break, the visitors took the lead through Joshua Zirkzee, who scored his first-ever goal in European competition a moment that should have set the tone for a crucial away victory.

Yet, as has been the case so often this season, United failed to convert their chances into a comfortable lead, leaving themselves vulnerable. In the closing stages, disaster struck when VAR Pol van Boekel intervened to review a handball incident involving Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder, attempting to block a cross inside the box, saw the ball strike his arm, and after a lengthy review, Sociedad were awarded a penalty, which they converted to make it 1-1.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for United, who had controlled large portions of the match but were once again punished for their wastefulness in front of goal. In the dying moments, it was only Andre Onana who preserved United’s unbeaten run in the Europa League, making a crucial save to deny Sociedad a late winner. Without his alert intervention, what could have been a valuable and morale-boosting win might have turned into a gut-wrenching defeat.

The final whistle left United frustrated not just because of the result, but because they once again failed to capitalize on the chances they created. The draw keeps their European hopes alive, but also exposes the recurring issue that has plagued the team for months: a chronic inability to convert promising situations into goals. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, will feel they could have taken more from the match, especially after United’s defensive vulnerabilities became increasingly apparent in the closing minutes.

The Manchester Evening News noted the tactical progress, highlighting that United’s players finally seemed to understand and execute the demands of Amorim’s 3-4-3 system. "This is more like it this was a mature European performance," wrote the local outlet. However, the ongoing lack of efficiency in the final third remains a glaring concern. A heated exchange between Rasmus Højlund and Diogo Dalot during the first half became symbolic of United’s attacking frustrations.

Dalot, who had the chance to play Højlund through on goal, instead opted for a speculative shot from distance ignoring the Danish striker’s intelligent run into space. Højlund’s furious reaction, shouting at Dalot and throwing his arms in the air, was captured by cameras and quickly became a talking point across English media.

Former United midfielder and BT Sport analyst Paul Scholes described Dalot’s decision as "almost criminal," emphasizing how costly these moments can be in European football. "They should have been ahead Dalot had to pass to Højlund. You can’t waste opportunities like that at this level," Scholes said during halftime. For Højlund, the frustration runs even deeper. The Danish forward is now without a goal in his last 19 appearances, a painful drought that has increasingly weighed on his shoulders.

"It’s frustrating. He made a great run, and if you’re the right-back, you simply have to square that ball to him. It’s a tap-in. Dalot didn’t do it, and Højlund has every reason to give him a full blast for that," Scholes added. Such moments exemplify the disconnect that still exists in United’s attack promising movements being squandered by poor decision-making.

Rúben Amorim, however, was not impressed by Højlund’s visible frustration. After the game, the Portuguese manager stressed that players must focus on the next chance rather than dwelling on missed opportunities. "It’s hard to say maybe Diogo didn’t see Rasmus in that moment. What I do know is that everyone in this team desperately wants to win and to score goals. Sometimes they make the wrong decision, but the most important thing is to move on and not get stuck on it and certainly not argue about it during the match," Amorim told Sky Sports.

That clash with Dalot contributed to a difficult evening for Højlund, who failed to register a single shot on goal. His struggles have led some in the English press to wonder if Amorim should give academy striker Chido Obi a chance in upcoming games. Amorim, however, defended Højlund, praising his tireless movement off the ball and his constant attempts to stretch the Sociedad defense. Despite his effort, the Dane’s night ended in frustration while Joshua Zirkzee emerged as United’s lone goalscorer in San Sebastián, finishing coolly after a pinpoint cross from Alejandro Garnacho.

Zirkzee’s performance didn’t go unnoticed. Amorim has already publicly praised the Dutch forward’s development since his arrival at the club, and the English media also acknowledged his impact. Sky Sports gave Zirkzee a rating of 8, although the broadcaster noted that his finish should have been savable for goalkeeper Alex Remiro. The Daily Mail awarded him a 7, highlighting his clinical touch and writing: "He landed the first blow after a perfect pass from Garnacho."

Manchester Evening News also gave Zirkzee a 7, but with added emphasis on his mental resilience. Just days earlier, Zirkzee had been United’s scapegoat after missing a crucial penalty in the FA Cup defeat to Fulham. To bounce back with an important goal in Europe showed impressive character something Amorim values highly.

In the end, the 1-1 result keeps United in a relatively decent position in their Europa League group, but it also leaves the same lingering questions hanging over Amorim’s project. Can this team finally find a clinical edge in front of goal? Will Højlund’s drought become a burden too heavy to carry? And with the pressure mounting, could young talents like Chido Obi soon find themselves thrown into the spotlight?

For now, United can take solace in the fact that they showed progress tactically and mentally but in European football, progress only counts when it’s backed up by results. And without a reliable goal-scorer to convert chances, Amorim’s encouraging tweaks risk being drowned out by the harsh realities of knockout football. The performance in San Sebastián offered promise, but the path ahead remains filled with doubt.