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UEL Roundup 2024/25: Højlund Brace Helps Manchester United to Second Win; Tottenham Held by Roma
The 2024/25 UEFA Europa League (UEL) group stage continued with thrilling action, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur featuring prominently in the midweek European fixtures. For United, Rasmus Højlund’s brace proved vital in securing their second win of the group stage, while Tottenham were held to a frustrating draw by AS Roma. As the tournament intensifies, the stakes for both clubs are rising, with qualification to the knockout stages now in sharper focus.
This round of matches showed significant moments for both teams, with Højlund continuing to make an impact in his debut European campaign, while Spurs’ inability to clinch a win left them with a lot to ponder as they look to build momentum under their new manager.
Manchester United 3-1 Real Sociedad: Højlund’s Double Ensures United’s Victory
Manchester United‘s clash with Real Sociedad at Old Trafford was a pivotal fixture in the Europa League group stage, and Rasmus Højlund was once again at the forefront of their offensive play. The Danish striker, who had been settling into his role since his summer move from Atalanta, netted twice to help his side secure a vital 3-1 win.
The match started off with United applying early pressure. Højlund, whose positioning and ability to exploit spaces had been a consistent feature of his game, got his first goal in the 23rd minute. The goal came from a perfectly weighted ball through the defense from Bruno Fernandes, which Højlund latched onto with a well-timed run, lifting the ball past the Sociedad keeper with composure.
Real Sociedad, who had been competitive in the early exchanges, leveled the match in the 39th minute. A corner kick was poorly defended by United, and David Silva was quick to capitalize, firing in a volley from the edge of the box. However, United’s response was swift and clinical.
In the second half, United regained the lead in the 57th minute. This time, Højlund turned provider, with a clever assist to Marcus Rashford, who powered home a header from a set-piece delivery. Højlund’s role in both goals highlighted his growing understanding with the attacking unit.
But the Danish forward wasn’t finished yet. In the 79th minute, a rebound from a powerful shot by Antony found Højlund in space. With a composed finish under pressure, he made it 3-1, sealing United’s second victory in the competition.
For Erik ten Hag, this win was crucial for maintaining momentum after some inconsistent domestic results. The manager will be buoyed by Højlund’s performance, which showcased the striker’s potential to become a key figure in United’s European and domestic campaigns. His ability to score in such a high-pressure game gives hope that he can carry United’s attack in the absence of other key forwards.
Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 AS Roma: Spurs Frustrated at Home
While Manchester United celebrated their commanding victory, Tottenham Hotspur found themselves held to a 1-1 draw by AS Roma at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Spurs’ disappointing performance was underlined by their inability to break down Roma’s defense, despite dominating possession for much of the game.
The first half was largely uneventful, with Spurs controlling possession but struggling to break through Roma’s well-organized defensive lines. Roma, under their experienced coach José Mourinho, were disciplined in their structure and looked to hit Spurs on the counter-attack. Their strategy worked, as Spurs failed to convert their chances, with Son Heung-min and James Maddison both firing wide from good positions.
The breakthrough came in the 56th minute when Spurs took the lead. Maddison played a perfectly weighted through ball to Richarlison, who surged forward and calmly finished past Roma goalkeeper Rui Patricio. It was a fine goal, one that showcased the attacking intent Tottenham are known for, but their lead was short-lived.
Just ten minutes later, Roma struck back through Paulo Dybala. The Argentine forward had been quiet for much of the match but came alive when it mattered. A quick corner routine saw Dybala find space at the edge of the box, where he curled a magnificent shot into the top corner past Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario. The goal was a testament to Dybala’s quality, and Roma’s resilience paid off.
Despite a late surge by Spurs, including a close-range header from Cristian Romero that narrowly missed, they could not find the elusive second goal. Tottenham’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, will be disappointed by his side’s inability to take all three points at home, especially considering the strong squad he has at his disposal.
Spurs will now need to regroup, as this draw leaves them with work to do in their group. The challenge for Postecoglou will be to instill confidence in his players and refine the attacking play that has shown promise but lacked consistency in this fixture.
Key Takeaways from the UEL Round
- Højlund’s Growing Impact: Rasmus Højlund’s brace for Manchester United proved crucial in securing their second win of the group stage. His ability to hold the ball, make intelligent runs, and finish with composure is making him a key figure for United. As they look to progress through the group stages and into the knockout rounds, Højlund will undoubtedly play a central role in their offensive setup.
- Tottenham’s Attack Still Needs Refining: Tottenham’s 1-1 draw against Roma revealed that despite plenty of possession, Spurs are still struggling with their final-third efficiency. While they showed flashes of quality, the inability to convert chances into goals, especially after taking the lead, will be a concern for Postecoglou. Spurs need to find more consistency in their attacking play if they are to navigate the group stage with ease.
- Defensive Resilience: Both Roma and Real Sociedad showcased strong defensive setups, making it difficult for their respective opponents to break through. While Roma’s defense held firm against Spurs’ attacking pressure, Sociedad’s well-drilled backline managed to frustrate United for long spells before eventually succumbing to Højlund’s brilliance.
- The Europa League’s Unpredictability: As seen with these two matches, the Europa League remains an unpredictable competition. While Manchester United’s victory was expected, Roma’s draw at Tottenham and Sociedad’s competitive showing at Old Trafford demonstrated that teams from lesser leagues can still compete fiercely against the giants of European football.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for United and Spurs?
For Manchester United, their win over Sociedad places them in a strong position heading into the latter half of the group stage. United will now be aiming to build momentum, with their next fixtures crucial for ensuring they top the group. The form of Højlund will be pivotal to this, as United will look to him for more crucial goals.
Tottenham, on the other hand, must address their finishing issues ahead of their upcoming matches. The draw against Roma highlighted the need for greater sharpness in front of goal, and Postecoglou will be hoping that his attacking players can find the right balance between possession and clinical finishing.
Both teams will need to maintain their focus in the coming rounds to ensure their passage to the knockout stages, with United’s attack and Spurs’ overall game play key to their success in the competition.
Conclusion
The latest round of Europa League 2024/25 action saw Manchester United flex their attacking muscles with Højlund’s brace, securing an important 3-1 win, while Tottenham Hotspur were left frustrated after being held to a 1-1 draw by Roma. As the group stages progress, these results highlight both teams’ strengths and areas for improvement, making the rest of the campaign all the more intriguing. For Højlund, his confidence will continue to rise, while Tottenham will be aiming to refine their attacking game to push for qualification from their group.
