Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad result, highlights and analysis as Red Devils are defeated thanks to controversial penalty

A highly debatable penalty helped Real Sociedad beat Manchester United 1-0 on Thursday in the opening round of UEFA Europa League group-stage action.

Cristiano Ronaldo was handed a starting spot for Erik ten Hag's much-changed side at Old Trafford, where the game went ahead despite the earlier news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

La Real took the lead early in the second-half after Lisandro Martinez conceded a penalty for handball with Brais Mendez scoring from the spot. The defender was punished when the ball struck his arm after deflected off his leg as he charged down a David Silva shot, and VAR was not used to suggest overturning the decision.

United pushed for a leveller but looked short of ideas in attack as they fell to a third defeat of the season in all competitions.

Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad final score

MORE: Antony stars on Manchester United debut

Ten Hag recalled captain Harry Maguire to the starting lineup as well as Ronaldo, while Casemiro made his first start for the club, as Marcus Rashford was handed a rest and Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Scott McTominay, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez all started on the bench.

Ronaldo had an early opening snuffed out by some good defending before powering a header past Alex Remiro and into the net, but the offside flag was correctly raised against the Portugal star.

Ronaldo and Alexander Sorloth each missed clear openings from close range before the key moment of the match came shortly before the hour mark. Martinez raced to block Silva's shot from just inside the box, and the ball deflected off his leg and struck his arm with his back turned. Referee Marco Di Bello pointed to the spot and, after a check, there was no intervention from VAR. Mendez fired his effort into the bottom-right corner, away from De Gea's outstretched hand.

United pushed in search of an equaliser, Casemiro testing Remiro and Sancho missing the ball when presented with a close-range volley, but their four-match winning run came to a limp end.

🇪🇺 Europe!!!This is us!!!! #UEL | #EuropaRS | #AurreraReala pic.twitter.com/osb3ldGfIa

— Real Sociedad 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 (@RealSociedadEN) September 8, 2022

Outstanding Martinez deserved better

Summoned from the bench at half-time for Diogo Dalot, Martinez enjoyed another fine showing for United despite his misfortune of being at the heart of the key moment of the match.

The Argentina international quelled several Sociedad attacks and progressed play superbly for his side, not least as they chased a leveller.

Despite being on the pitch for just 45 minutes, he made the most recoveries (seven), tackles (three) and interceptions (two) and won all four of his duels.

Lessons learned for Ten Hag

United have four matches to come against Sheriff of Moldova and Omonia of Cyprus and should be in a strong position to qualify for the knockout phase before they face Sociedad in San Sebastian on November 3, so this was far from a critical result in their European campaign.

However, it will have halted some of the momentum Ten Hag had built through four consecutive Premier League wins. More importantly, it will have underlined some things about his squad that he probably knew already: namely, that his strongest side is the one he's settled on for top-flight duties.

Maguire performed capably here, but there's no doubt Varane is the better player, certainly at the moment. Similarly, Martinez's introduction off the bench gave the team a lift, and they really missed Dalot's attacking runs after he went off. The experiment of Fred as a No.10 failed, and Casemiro doesn't look up to speed, so the midfield axis of Christian Eriksen and McTominay is, for now, the way forward.

And then there's Ronaldo. He had a goal disallowed; he missed a presentable opening; he ran well, battled well, and generally looked up for the fight in a competition he tried so hard to escape. And yet, there's no doubt that United's attack has looked slicker and more balanced without him in it in recent weeks. His role as back-up will likely continue for the time being.

Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad commentary, highlights

FULLTIME: It finishes 1-0 to Real Sociedad! The visitors are going wild in the dugout and in the away section of the stand. It's a result that's far from fatal to United's European campaign, but it halts their recent momentum and will lead to further questions about whether they're simply better off not playing Ronaldo.

90+2 mins: United have put in plenty of effort since going behind, but the quality hasn't really been there. They're heading for a third defeat of the season and the end of that four-game winning run.

89 mins: Ronaldo wins a free-kick, winds up to shoot... and hits the top of the wall. La Real try to break but De Gea is alert at the feet of Cho. Just three minutes of injury time to come here.

87 mins: Ronaldo has a shout for a penalty waved away, and fairly — there wasn't much contact as he fell backwards. Garnacho tries his luck from 20 yards but sends the shot over. United are running out of time.

84 mins: Wide from Ronaldo! Martinez charges out of defence and plays it to Fred, whose first-time cross is met on the run by Ronaldo, but it's deflected wide for a corner and Sociedad clear their lines.

81 mins: United are queuing up! Fred crosses towards the far post, where Ronaldo, Sancho and Fernandes are waiting. It falls to Sancho, who tries a volley and swipes at thin air instead. Good chance.

79 mins: The visitors are looking dangerous on the break as United become more stretched. Substitute Cho starts a move and finishes with a shot from the edge of the area, but De Gea is comfortably behind it.

77 mins: Casemiro! Good low shot from the edge of the box from the Brazilian is parried by Remiro. That's the first thing he's had to do for a while. Real are now taking off the brilliant Kubo, who has earned a rest.

70 mins: Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho are on for Antony and Anthony Elanga. United still unable to find a breakthrough.

66 mins: United have tried to pick up the pace of the game, but it's all a little bit erratic. Casemiro manages to get clear in the penalty area but can only head down into the turf, the ball then bouncing over.

58 mins: 1-0 TO REAL SOCIEDAD 

Well the penalty does stand and up steps Mendez who makes absolutely no mistake with his spot kick. He drills it low into the bottom corner and even though De Gea guesses the right way, he got nowhere near that in truth. 

56 mins: PENALTY TO SOCIEDAD

David Silva fires a shot goalward and Martinez produces a huge block but the ref points straight to the spot. The replays show that the ball first hits the defender's knee then onto his arm though so surely that should be chalked off? 

53 mins: CLOSE FROM SOCIEDAD

If Ronaldo's was a big chance at the other end minutes ago then this was an even bigger one for the visitors. A ball is floated in from the left but Sorloth heads just over despite being all along at the back post. A big let off for Erik ten Hag's side. 

47 mins: BIG CHANCE FOR UNITED

Fernandes delivers from the right and Ronaldo misses a golden chance to notch the opener via his head from six yards out. 

46 mins: The action is back underway at Old Trafford. 

HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 0-0 REAL SOCIEDAD

A rather drab Europa League affair so far heads into the half time break goalless. Aside from a disallowed Ronaldo goal that was judged to be offside, there's been relatively little in the way of action to talk about at a sombre Old Trafford. 

⏸ Atsedenaldia Old Trafford futbol zelaian.#UEL | #EuropaRS | #AurreraReala pic.twitter.com/FWUYYx2LNE

— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedadEUS) September 8, 2022

35 mins: GOAAALLL.... NO! 

What a bullet header from Ronaldo who finds the back of the net despite the goalkeeper's best efforts but wait, the linesman has his flag up. The Portuguese international had just strayed into an offside position when the cross came into the box, hard luck for the home side. 

28 mins: CLOSE FOR SOCIEDAD

Former Manchester City man David Silva finds Mendez in the box but the midfielder just can't quite wrap his foot fully around the ball as he looks to put his shot inside the far bottom corner. A bit of a let-off for United there! 

📸 25’ | 0-0 | @21LVA is in da house 🧙#UEL | #EuropaRS | #AurreraReala pic.twitter.com/2awzFb8y8o

— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedadEUS) September 8, 2022

26 mins: More United pressure as Eriksen finds Ronaldo in the box but again the Sociedad backline deal with the pressure. 

From the resulting corner the ball is swung to the back post and Antony tries his luck but goalkeeper Remiro Gargallo deals with it easily. 

23 mins: Elanga turns his defender down the left-hand side, darts into the box and finds Fred with a cut back but the Brazilian's shot is blocked behind for a corner. 

The resulting delivery is headed clear but not entirely convincingly by the Sociedad defence.  

18 mins: Eriksen drifts out wide to the right and delivers a lovely cross in towards Ronaldo at the back post but he just can't get onto the end of it. United starting to grind into gear here now!

14 mins: CHANCE UNITED

The ball breaks United's way in midfield and all of a sudden, Ronaldo is through on goal. Instead of hitting it with his left foot from just outside the box, he chops inside but the Sociedad defence recover to snuff out the danger. 

10 mins: Merino tries to loft a ball diagonally into Sadiq for the away side but Sociedad's main forward just can't get onto the end of it.   

5 mins: Nothing much to talk about so far in terms of action. An even affair as of right now as both teams begin to settle into the play. 

KICK-OFF: The visitors get us underway at the Theatre of Dreams. 

After an impeccably observed minute's silence in memory of Her Majesty, The Queen, we're under way at Old Trafford.#MUFC || #UEL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 8, 2022

2 mins to KO: Both sets of players take to the pitch at a very sombre Old Trafford donning their black armbands. We will now have a minutes silence to pay our respects to Queen Elizabeth II who passed away today at the age of 96. 

15 mins to KO: Given that Ronaldo starts tonight, it might be time to look away now Sociedad fans! That's because the Portuguese star has 15 goals in nine matches against La Real, winning all nine head-to-head outings and with every single strike coming in home fixtures. 

45 mins to KO: So, Ronaldo does indeed get the nod in attack for United, with Ten Hag choosing to rest Marcus Rashford and leave Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Scott McTominay, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez on the bench. Luke Shaw would likely have started, but he is yet to resume full training following injury.

TEAM NEWS:

After two league games last week and with a trip to Crystal Palace to come on September 11, Ten Hag chose to rotate his side for this fixture.

Captain Harry Maguire and fit-again Victor Lindelof were named in defence, with Casemiro handed his full debut in midfield alongside Brazil teammate Fred. In attack, Cristiano Ronaldo was chosen to lead the line.

Manchester United lineup (4-3-3): De Gea (GK) — Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia — Eriksen, Casemiro, Fred — Antony, Ronaldo, Elanga

Manchester United subs: Heaton, Igbal, McNeill, Dubravka, Garnacho, Varane, Fredricson, Fernandes, McTominay, Sancho, Wan-Bissaka, Martinez.

Umar Sadiq earned a start for La Real after coming off the bench to equalise against Atletico Madrid last time out. Takefusa Kubo was selected to partner him in attack, with former Manchester City star David Silva as a No.10.

Real Sociedad lineup (4-3-1-2): Remiro (GK) — Gorosabel, Elustondo, Pacheco, Munoz — Zubimendi, Mendez, Merino — Silva — Sadiq, Kubo

Real Sociedad subs: Guevara, Robert Navarro, Cho, Sola, Karrikaburu, Sorloth, Turrientes, Barrenetxea, Illarramendi, Zubeldia, Gonzalez de Zarate, Zubiaurre

65 mins to KO: In a statement, United said: "Manchester United shares the sorrow of the entire nation following the announcement from Buckingham Palace on the passing of Her Majesty, The Queen.

"The club recognises her immense contribution to public life, including sport, both here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth, and around the world.

"Everyone connected with Manchester United joins the wider football family in sending our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to The Royal Family.

"Following direction from the FA and UEFA, tonight's UEFA Europa League fixture against Real Sociedad will take place as planned at Old Trafford.

"A minute's silence will be held before kickoff which will allow the teams, match officials and everyone in attendance to pay their respects to Her Majesty, The Queen. Both teams will wear black armbands and the flags at Old Trafford will fly at half-mast as a sign of our utmost respect."

70 mins to KO: Tonight's game has been overshadowed by the news that Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96. The match is going ahead at Old Trafford, with a minute's silence to precede kickoff and players to wear black armbands.

Manchester United shares the sorrow of the entire nation following the announcement from Buckingham Palace on the passing of Her Royal Highness The Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/QwLRZ9z4yf

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 8, 2022

90 mins to KO: He tried his best not to play in it, but the Europa League might just represent a way for Cristiano Ronaldo to prove his worth to United this season. After failing to push through a transfer away from Old Trafford, the veteran forward has lost his place in the first XI under Ten Hag, but he's expected to play tonight as he builds up some fitness following a disrupted preseason.

You can read about Ronaldo's record in Europe right here.

It's always good to be with you! 👏🏽 #alwaystogether pic.twitter.com/QdpkKcuS0F

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) September 5, 2022

120 mins to KO: Manchester United's European campaign for 2022/23 gets underway today at Old Trafford. It might not be in the competition they want to be in, but having reached the final two seasons ago, the Red Devils know the Europa League represents both a second route to the Champions League and the chance of a trophy for Erik ten Hag in his first season in charge.

How to watch Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad

UK: BT Sport are the exclusive broadcasters of live Europa League matches. United's opener is on BT Sport 1 and available on the website/app.

USA: Paramount+ will stream the match live in English, while the Spanish-language broadcast is available on TUDN.

Canada: Follow the action live exclusively on DAZN.

Australia: Fans in Australia can watch the game on via Stan Sport.

Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad lineups

After two league games last week and with a trip to Crystal Palace to come on September 11, Ten Hag chose to rotate his side for this fixture.

Captain Harry Maguire and fit-again Victor Lindelof were named in defence, with Casemiro handed his full debut in midfield alongside Brazil teammate Fred. In attack, Cristiano Ronaldo was chosen to lead the line.

Manchester United lineup (4-3-3): De Gea (GK) — Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia — Eriksen, Casemiro, Fred — Antony, Ronaldo, Elanga

Manchester United subs: Heaton, Igbal, McNeill, Dubravka, Garnacho, Varane, Fredricson, Fernandes, McTominay, Sancho, Wan-Bissaka, Martinez.

Umar Sadiq earned a start for La Real after coming off the bench to equalise against Atletico Madrid last time out. Takefusa Kubo was selected to partner him in attack, with former Manchester City star David Silva as a No.10.

Real Sociedad lineup (4-3-1-2): Remiro (GK) — Gorosabel, Elustondo, Pacheco, Munoz — Zubimendi, Mendez, Merino — Silva — Sadiq, Kubo

Real Sociedad subs: Guevara, Robert Navarro, Cho, Sola, Karrikaburu, Sorloth, Turrientes, Barrenetxea, Illarramendi, Zubeldia, Gonzalez de Zarate, Zubiaurre

Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad betting odds

United won the two-legged meeting with La Real 4-0 on aggregate two seasons ago and, having just won four games in a row for the first time since April 2021, it's not a huge surprise to see them considered favourites here.

Sociedad have had a mixed start to the season, with narrow wins over Cadiz and Elche alongside a heavy defeat to Barcelona and last weekend's 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid, but they come into this fixture with little to lose and will likely face a changed United lineup.

With all that in mind, backing a draw might well be a smart bet.