On one of those nights when football feels pretty insignificant, Manchester United’s mini-renaissance under Erik ten Hag was halted by Real Sociedad’s Spaniards.
It took a controversial penalty to end United’s four-game winning streak under the new manager and start their Europa League Group E campaign with defeat at Old Trafford.
The decision to penalize substitute Lisandro Martínez for handball, when David Silva’s shot early in the second half ricocheted off the Argentine’s thigh, seemed harsh. Brais Méndez converted from the spot to register the only goal of the match.
Cristiano Ronaldo cuts a frustrated figure during Manchester United’s shock 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad on Thursday
Brais Méndez scored the only goal of the Europa League tie at Old Trafford for the Spanish side with a controversial spot-kick.
But United had enough talent on the pitch throughout this tie to get the job done and it should worry Ten Hag that they didn’t, despite the circumstances.
The game was brought forward after United sought direction from both the FA and UEFA following the announcement of The Queen’s death less than two hours before kick-off.
Kick-off was preceded by an impeccably observed minute’s silence – during which the Society’s fans held up their blue and white handkerchiefs as a mark of respect – with both teams wearing black armbands and the flags of ‘Old Trafford were at half-post.
“Manchester United shares the grief of the entire nation following the announcement from Buckingham Palace of the death of Her Majesty The Queen,” a club statement said.
A shot from David Silva appeared to catch Lisandro Martinez on the leg before the ball bounced off his arm.
But despite a VAR check, the penalty was awarded as Méndez approaches the Sociedad fans to celebrate his goal.
United manager Erik ten Hag was furious with the touchline officials for allowing the controversial penalty to be awarded.
MATCH DATA AND PLAYER SCORES
MAN UTD (4-3-3): De Gea 6; Dalot 6.5 (Martinez 46, 6.5), Lindelof 6, Maguire 6, Malaysia 6.5; Eriksen 7 (Fernandes 46, 6.5), Casemiro 6.5, Fred 5; Antony 6.5 (Sancho 71, 6), Ronaldo 6.5, Elanga 6.5 (Garnacho 71, 6)
Subs not used: Heaton, Iqbal, McNeil, Dubravka, Varane, Fredricson, McTominay, Wan-Bissaka.
Booked: Martinez, Fred, De Gea
Director: Erik ten Hag 6
REAL SOCIEDAD (4-3-3): Remiro 7; Gorosabel 6 (Sola 84), Elustondo 7, Pacheco 6.5, Muñoz 6; Mendez 7 (Turrientes 84), Zubimendi 6.5, Merino 6; Silva 7, Umar 6 (Sorloth 46, 7), Kubo 7 (Barrenetxea 78, 6)
Substitutions not used: Illarramendi, Zubeldia, Cho, Zubiaurre, Guevara, Navarro, Gonzalez de Zarate, Karrikaburu
Scorer: Mendez pen 59
Appointed: Silva, Muñoz, Turrientes
Manager: Imanol Alguacil 7
Referee: Marco Di Bello (Italy) 5
“The club recognizes his immense contribution to public life, including sport, both here in the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world.”
As expected, Ten Hag rotated their team, but at no point was this what you would call a weakened team.
Casemiro made his full debut following a £50m move from Madrid and £85m man Antony was handed a second cap. Both acquitted themselves well.
Cristiano Ronaldo was making just his second start of the season, and his first appearance in this competition for 20 years, and looked forward to the challenge. There were withdrawals for Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Fred.
While Maguire and Lindelof did little wrong, Fred had one of those games when you appreciate why Ten Hag felt a strong need to chase Frenkie de Jong and settle for Casemiro.
The Dutchman faced Christian Eriksen in the first half and Bruno Fernandes in the second, so you could see why the club and their supporters celebrated this victory as they did.
Everyone at Old Trafford observed a moment of silence before the game following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II
United fans observe silence after learning of news they were traveling to Thursday’s game
Society fans who had traveled from Spain paid their respects by raising their scarves and also observing silence
The goal came during their best moment of the game after half-time when Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth was sent off.
Sorloth immediately caused problems for 5ft 9in Martinez, who had replaced Diogo Dalot at the interval.
The substitute from Sociedad came close to scoring when he left Martínez out of the way to meet Takefusa Kubo’s cross and head wide.
It took a last ditch effort from the Argentine to head another Kubo cross off Sorloth’s head soon after, but United were in trouble seconds later.
Martinez again threw his body into the path to block Silva’s effort as the former Manchester City favorite let fly from inside the box.
Real Sociedad put up a good fight at Old Trafford as their win put them in control of their Europa League group – via SofaScore
Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal disallowed in the first half after a superb header was correctly ruled out for offside.
The veteran was lively in the first period, but was left heavily out of the game when he questioned his goal being ruled out.
Club captain Harry Maguire waves to Ronaldo as United struggle to make a breakthrough during the match
Such a combative and committed approach is part of Martínez’s game, but it carries the risk of conceding penalties, even if the prize on this occasion was very debatable.
The ball clearly struck Martinez’s right thigh before deflecting off his outstretched left arm, but Italian referee Marco Di Bello pointed straight to the spot and VAR official Massimiliano Irrati did not dispute the decision. Mendez stepped up to beat David de Gea.
United will feel they could have at least claimed a draw. In the first half, he relied heavily on Antony’s guile, Eriksen’s wit and Anthony Elanga’s pace to trouble the Society.
Ronaldo’s pace may be on the wane, which was clear enough when he was quickly outclassed by centre-backs Aritz Elustondo and Jon Pacheco when they scored and were offside in the 14th minute.
But the 37-year-old looked ready enough to press for Ten Hag and also provided an aerial threat that led to a cancellation 10 minutes before the break.
Former Manchester City star and veteran David Silva enjoyed a productive night on his return to the City with Sociedad
Ronaldo also came close at the start of the second half with a header that went wide of the target in the Europa League tie.
United, however, lacked the creativity of the first half, and rarely looked to score even after falling behind
Dalot clipped in a cross on the edge of the six-yard box and Ronaldo hung in the air before meeting him with a firm header. Goalkeeper Alex Remiro did well to turn the ball under the crossbar but it bounced over the line and Ronaldo was celebrating before realizing he was offside again.
Early in the second half, he came close again, headed home Fernandes’ cross and fired home from 25 yards.
The Ten Hag side pressed for an equalizer until the end but the closest they came was Casemiro’s shot from the edge of the box which Remiro deflected onto the left post.
Assuming UEFA fixtures go ahead as planned next week, United must now travel to Moldova for a tough tie against FC Sheriff to get their European campaign back on track.
Sportsmail’s Dan Ripley has provided live blog updates for the Europa League group stage clash between Manchester United and Real Sociedad.