By Betsefy
A second-half penalty from Brais Mendez saw Real Sociedad record a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Thursday’s Europa League contest at Old Trafford.
Mendez’s effort came after Lisandro Martinez had been penalised for a handball, with David Silva‘s strike deflecting off the centre-back’s leg and onto his arm.
Man United confirmed little over an hour before kickoff that the contest would go ahead despite the news that Queen Elizabeth II had passed away at the age of 96.
“Following direction from the FA and UEFA, tonight’s fixture against Real Sociedad will take place as planned. A minute’s silence will be held before kick-off which will allow the teams, match officials and everyone in attendance to pay their respects to Her Majesty,” read the statement.
“Both teams will wear black armbands and the flags at Old Trafford will fly at half-mast as a sign of our utmost respect.”
Ten Hag rung the changes for the Europa League affair, with Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Fred, Casemiro, Anthony Elanga and Cristiano Ronaldo coming in from the weekend success over Arsenal.
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Ronaldo had a sight of the Real Sociedad goal in the 17th minute when Christian Eriksen chipped a brilliant cross towards the Portuguese, but he just failed to make contact, before Fred had a goal-bound effort deflected wide in the 23rd minute after smart work from Elanga.
Real Sociedad’s first clear chance came in the 28th minute when Brais Mendez found himself free inside the box, but the attacker’s effort just missed the post.
Ronaldo had the ball in the back of the net in the 35th minute courtesy of a brilliant header, but the offside flag denied the attacker his first goal of the campaign.
The 37-year-old also had the first chance of the second half shortly after the restart, heading a Bruno Fernandes cross wide of the post from close range, with Man United continuing to look the more likely.
Ronaldo was at it again in the 49th minute, firing one just over the crossbar with a ferocious strike, before Alexander Sorloth headed wide of David de Gea‘s goal down the other end.
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Lisandro Martinez, who was introduced at the break, then had to brilliantly clear ahead of the waiting Sorloth after Takefusa Kubo had delivered a cross from the left.
Real Sociedad were given a controversial penalty in the 57th minute when a strike from David Silva hit Lisandro Martinez’s leg before deflecting onto his hand, and Brais Mendez stepped up to send the visitors ahead at Old Trafford.
De Gea had to keep out a strike from Kubo in the 64th minute, with the La Liga side pushing for a second, before Casemiro headed a Fernandes cross over the crossbar shortly later.
Alejandro Garnacho was bright for Man United following his introduction off the bench, with the youngster firing just over the Real Sociedad goal in the 88th minute of the contest.
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Casemiro attempted to pick out the bottom corner in the latter exchanges, with the home side desperately attempting to force a leveller, but the Brazilian’s effort never threatened to find the back of the net.
Real Sociedad were able to close out the final minute relatively comfortably, with the La Liga outfit managing to secure a one-goal success away to the 20-time English champions in their Group E opener.
Man United are waiting to learn whether their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace will go ahead on Sunday afternoon in light of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, but Real Sociedad will definitely be in La Liga action against Getafe on Sunday evening.
