MAN UNITED 0, REAL SOCIEDAD 1
On the night when the nation began mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Manchester United’s Europa League campaign got off to an inauspicious start as they were beaten at home by Spanish side Real Sociedad.
After four straight Premier League victories, this was a reality check for a much-changed Reds’ side.
And it served to underline to manager Erik ten Tag that he does not have the quality in depth needed to seriously challenge for honours.
If United do not field their strongest line-up, as they did in beating Liverpool and Arsenal, they did not have the personnel in reserve to hurt opponents.
This was a classic case in point against average opposition – Sociedad are a modest ninth in La Liga – as United were a shadow of the side which had impressed in their previous two home matches.
They lacked a cutting edge, creativity in the middle and were at times ponderous in defence. In short they weren’t very good.
Embed from Getty ImagesContrast that to Sociedad as there were huge celebrations for manager Imanol Alguacil and his players as they beat United for the first time at the fifth time of asking.
Ten Hag did not attend the post-match press conference as a mark of respect to the death of the monarch which was announced about 90 minutes before kick-off.
There were doubts initially whether the game would go ahead as Northampton Saints’ rugby match against Saracens was cancelled.
The decision was taken that the game should proceed, though all advertising on then pitchside hoardings was removed as were sponsors’ logos from the press theatre where post-match interviews are held as a mark of respect.
The players wore black arm bands and before kick-off there was one minute’s silence which was impeccably observed.
United made five changes from the side that beat Arsenal four days ago.
David De Gea, Diogo Dalot, Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Antony were the only survivors.
Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof were recalled to the centre of defence, Casemiro was handed a first start while Fred, Anthony Elanga and Cristiano Ronaldo were also drafted into the side.
The players making way were Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho, Scott McTominay and the injured Marcus Rashford.
The Sociedad side included former City favourite David Silva.
United posed little threat offensively in the opening half hour, though Ronaldo had two openings, both set up by Eriksen.
The first from a floated cross was just too high for Ronaldo to head home and then he failed to control Eriksen’s through ball.
Sociedad went close when Brais Mendez fired narrowly wide after a dangerous build up.
United thought they had made a breakthrough when Ronaldo rose superbly to head home Dalot’s cross, but he was flagged for offside with replays showing he was clearly strayed in front of play.
After a lukewarm opening period, ten Hag made two changes at the restart as Eriksen and Dalot made way for Martinez and Fernandes.
And it almost paid an instant dividend as within 60 seconds Fernades crossed for Ronaldo who glanced a header wide when he ought to have hit the target.
Ronaldo also saw a drive narrowly clear the crossbar as United made a positive start to the second half.
United fell behind just before the hour in a controversial manner after they conceded a penalty.
Silva’s shot was blocked by Martinez, initially hitting his thigh before rebounding on to his arm.
Italian referee Marco Di Bello pointed to the spot and VAR upheld the match official’s decision before Mendez scored from the spot hard and low to the left of De Gea.
Sociedad came close to adding a second when a fierce angled shot by Takefusa Kubo was beaten away to safety by De Gea.
Ten Hag made two attacking changes with 20 minutes left as Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho replaced Antony and Elanga.
Casemiro forced a decent save from Alejandro Remiro with a drive from outside the box as United briefly threatened.
United made their fifth and final change with seven minutes left as Malacia was replaced by Charlie McNeill, but the changes failed to make an impact and alter the course of the latter stages of the game as they slipped to defeat.