United draw, Spurs lose, Chelsea priciest team ever, PIF backs WTA maternity leave fund
European football continues with the last 16 of the Europa League and Conference League. Eligible WTA players to get paid maternity leave
Manchester United settled for a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday, while Tottenham lost away to AZ Alkmaar and Rangers stunned Fenerbache in Istanbul.
In Spain, Joshua Zirkzee gave a United side missing 11 first-choice players the lead in the 58th minute, but Sociedad equalised 12 minutes later when Bruno Fernandes was penalised for hand ball and Mikel Oyarzabal sent Andre Onana the wrong way from the penalty spot.
A place in the quarter-finals will be on the line at Old Trafford in the second leg next Thursday.
“Our decision-making in the final third was sometimes not the best, but we had good moments,” Ruben Amorim, the United manager, said. “It’s going to be a different game at Old Trafford and the pressure is going to be on us. We have to be ready.”
Tottenham, who are also struggling in the Premier League, lost after Lucas Bergvall scored a comical own goal from the first corner of the game.
Bergvall tried to clear Troy Parrott’s 18th-minute shot but only contrived to slice the ball up and over Djed Spence on the goal line. Despite eight days to prepare for this crucial fixture, Spurs did not register a shot on target until two minutes from time.