The death of Queen Elizabeth II has cast a pall of sadness over Old Trafford and a heartfelt tribute before kick-off brought those in attendance to observe a minute’s silence for the monarch. Players and officials wore black armbands, flags above the stadium were flown at half-mast, stadium advertising hoardings were closed and United issued a statement expressing condolences and gratitude for the monarch’s “enormous contribution to public life”. As soon as the game started, Erik ten Hag’s side ended up with a first defeat at the Spanish club and first in five games due to a controversial second-half penalty by Sociedad, so United are already playing in the group stage. A full drive from Antony that ranged from the Sociedad area to his right-hand corner flag and teed up Takefusa Kubo was United’s highlight in a worrying half defensively. Their visitors were no sturdier in the section as Alejandro Remiro’s drop of a high Casemiro ball – which fell onto Aritz Elustondo – signaled a similar flurry from them. Against rivals United who were eliminated at the last 32 stage two years ago, Ten Hag had recalled Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo, while Viktor Lindelof made his first start of the season and Casemiro his first for the club . Sociedad had David Silva, arguably the best player for Sheikh Mansour’s Manchester City side during a decade there, operating as a floating No 10, but it was United mastermind Christian Eriksen who dominated before the break. A pass from the classy Dane had Anthony Elanga slotting in on the left. Another was chipped at Ronaldo, who narrowly failed to connect. When Eriksen fed Elanga again, a blast went past Antoni Gorosabel for a corner. When he was released, Diogo Dalot and Maguire somehow missed out on testing Remiro up close. Eriksen then produced a mesmerizing look at Ronaldo, who cursed after failing to finish. Cristiano Ronaldo was down in Manchester United’s home defeat. Photo: Socrates Images/Getty Images Imanol Alguacil’s side, however, raised their own questions about United’s depleted backline. Clearances from Lindelöf and Maguire were unconvincing and Casemiro’s nutmeg from visiting left-back Aihen Muñoz in an advanced position was not part of the defensive shield’s job description. In the second half Lisandro Martínez replaced Dalot and Bruno Fernandes came on for Eriksen. The Portuguese immediately hung a ball for Ronaldo, usually lethal with his head, but spurned a golden chance to put United in front. Moments later, the 37-year-old, who is yet to score this season, fired home from 20 yards. United were not as fragmented from their first two defeats, and looked a unit yet to be tested in Ten Hag’s way, not one that had won their last four outings. Alexander Sørloth, on as a substitute, should have punished United’s last slippage defence, but a wild header was no surprise given the quality so far. But now came the questionable penalty decision from Marco Di Bello. Silva pulled the trigger and the ball hit Martinez on a leg and then deflected onto an arm. VAR did not advise the referee to look again and Brais Méndez beat David de Gea to the latter’s left. Casemiro responded with a header but missed from Fernandes’ cross as United continued to disappoint. In the closing stages, Ten Hag brought on Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho, but United lacked fluidity and could not track Sociedad’s runners. After Charlie McNeill’s debut – in place of Tyrell Malacia – Sancho’s lack of composure from the moment should have leveled United on aggregate. However, if at the final whistle they had lost a football match, this was a bleak night in which the result didn’t really matter.
