Man Utd fans admit they owe one player an apology after performance vs Real Sociedad

Manchester United fans have taken to social media to admit that they owe one of their players an apology following his performance against Real Sociedad.

On Thursday night, United welcomed Spanish side Real Sociedad to Old Trafford for the second leg of their Europa Leg clash.

The first meeting between the pair at the Reale Arena last week finished as a 1-1 draw, meaning the winners Thursday's match would progress to the next round.

A pair of penalties coupled with a late goal all scored by captain Bruno Fernandes booked United's place in the quarter-finals, and fans have taken to social media to apologise to one player in particular.

Ever since he arrived from Serie A club Bologna for a fee of £36.5million last summer, Joshua Zirkzee has been placed under enormous pressure by United fans who have been consistently unimpressed by his performances.

However, this all changed at Old Trafford on Thursday as, despite not getting himself on the scoresheet, Zirkzee put in one of his best performances in a United shirt, and it didn't go unnoticed.

Reacting to Zirkzee's performance in the Europa League match, one fan on social media wrote: "I’m starting to love watching Zirkzee play. Think I’m becoming a big fan."

Another added: "I wasn’t his biggest fan but Zirkzee is getting better and better

While one admitted: "Zirkzee i owe you an apology. I’ll not forget this performance anytime soon."

And one claimed: "Zirkzee is the brother that stepped up."

Joshua Zirkzee was applauded by fans in Old Trafford after his performance in the Europa League match against Real Sociedad. (Image: Getty)

One fan joked: "Joshua Zirkzee, I wasn't familiar with your game. We are noticing."

Across his 42 appearances for United, Zirkzee has scored just six goals while assisting two, leading to some claims that he could be set to leave the club less than a year after joining.

But the young Dutchman may have silenced some of his doubters following his most recent performance, as he played a key role in keeping United in the race for silverware in what has so far been a dismal season.

United will face Ligue 1 side Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals, with the two legs set to get underway on the 10th and 17th of April.