Tottenham, Manchester United struggle in Europa League ties

Tottenham Hotspur faced a disappointing 1-0 defeat against AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, a result that left manager Ange Postecoglou acknowledging that his team was 'nowhere near' the required level. The match featured a comical own goal by Lucas Bergvall, marking AZ's first win over an English club in 12 attempts, while Spurs managed only one shot on target throughout the match. Meanwhile, Manchester United drew 1-1 against Real Sociedad, with Joshua Zirkzee scoring for United before Mikel Oyarzabal equalized from the penalty spot after a controversial decision. Both teams have struggled in the competition, with Spurs relying on the Europa League as their last hope for silverware this season. The results signal a challenging period for both Premier League clubs as they aim to turn their fortunes around in the second legs of their ties. Rangers, in contrast, celebrated a notable 3-1 victory against Fenerbahce, highlighting the contrasting fortunes of British teams in Europe.