United can't quite reign in Spain but will leave with plenty of belief

"FOLLOW, follow, follow, 'cause United are going to Bilbao," the optimistic United fans sang and a fourth final in three seasons is still eminently achievable.

- By SAMUEL LUCKHURST

There was no win to celebrate against Real Sociedad, grateful for the contentious and overly officious intervention by the Video Assistant Referee from the Netherlands. But even this United side should back themselves to progress past sedate Sociedad.

United may be back in the Basque Country twice, with Athletic a potential semi-final opponent before the final at their stadium San Mames. The 1,943 United supporters in the Reale Arena can be hopeful of another European trip to Lyon or Bucharest in April - and with something riding on the season in the run-in.

United were guilty of more profligacy until one of their most profligate converted. Joshua Zirkzee's goal was casual and as slow as the game and still good enough to deceive the flat-footed goalkeeper Alex Remiro.

Zirkzee lacks the requisite quality but not the character. Four days after his limp penalty gave Fulham victory in the FA Cup shootout, this was a laudable response to that disappointment. United fans serenaded him jubilantly this time, after his sorrowful send-off on Sunday. It was Zirkzee's second goal in 17 games and sixth for the club.

In their sixth game together in the starting line-up, one of Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund scored. Hojlund was more threatening than his recent harmless displays yet he did not have a shot at goal and it is now 19 goalless games.

Zirkzee's sudden strike on 57 minutes meant United would not completely curse their dwindling conversion rate.