Manchester United 0 Real Sociedad 1

The Reds, along with the visitors, held a minute's silence before kick-off following the sad news that Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, had passed away.

United had perhaps the better opportunities across the 90, but a controversial penalty gifted to the away side proved to be the difference between the sides.

Although Erik ten Hag's men had a handful of chances, we couldn't find a way back into the game on this occasion. 

FIRST HALF

United had plenty of the ball in the early stages, with Christian Eriksen and Cristiano Ronaldo linking up well on multiple occasions. The Portuguese forward found the back of the net just after the half-hour mark after getting on the end of Diogo Dalot’s ball, but it was ruled out for offside. 

A subdued half came to a close with the Reds creating more of the chances but with nothing to show for it.

Ten Hag made a double change at the start of the second 45, sending on Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes in place of Dalot and Eriksen. 

SECOND HALF

Within the first 10 minutes, Martinez denied what would have been an almost certain goal for Alexander Sorloth by clearing the ball away in the nick of time. 

But moments later the Argentinian would be penalised for a handball inside the box which resulted in a penalty for the visitors. VAR reviewed the incident, which showed the ball hitting Martinez’s leg before bouncing up onto his arm, but the decision stood. Mendez stepped up for La Real and fired past De Gea, who couldn’t quite reach it despite guessing the right way. 

Academy striker Charlie McNeill came on late in the second half for his first-team debut but United could not create a clear-cut chance and were unable to snatch a point in the final minutes of our opening Europa League game. 

MATCH DETAILS 

United XI: De Gea; Dalot (Martinez 45), Lindelof, Maguire (c), Malacia (McNeill 83); Fred, Casemiro; Antony (Sancho 71), Eriksen (Fernandes 45), Elanga (Garnacho 71); Ronaldo

Subs not used: Dubravka, Heaton, Fredericson, Varane, Wan-Bissaka, Iqbal, McTominay.

Bookings: Martinez 57; Fred 83; De Gea 90.

Real Sociedad: Remiro; Gorosabel (Sola 84), Elustondo, Pacheco, Munoz; Zubimendi, Merino, Mendez (Turrientes 84); Kubo (Barrenetxea 78), Silva (Cho 65), Sadiq (Sorloth 45). 

Subs not used: Illarramendi, Zubeldia, Zubiaurre, Guevara, Navarro, Gonzalez de Zarate, Karrikaburu. 

Goals: Mendez (p) 59.

Bookings: Silva 60; Munoz 70; Turrientes 89. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Short highlights of this game will be published below from midnight Central European Time. Longer versions, including the full 90 minutes, will be available from midnight on Friday.