Football was an obvious irrelevance after the evening’s news but, once Uefa decided the game should go ahead, Manchester United duly complied with their Europa League game against Real Sociedad .
The death of Queen Elizabeth II cast a veil of grief over Old Trafford and a heartfelt tribute before kick-off brought together those present in a minute’s silence in honor of the monarch. Players and officials wore black armbands, stadium flags flew at half-mast, pitchside billboards were switched off and United issued a statement offering condolences and thanks for the “immense contribution to the public life” of the monarch.
Once the game started, Erik ten Hag’s side ended up with a first defeat against the Spanish club and first in five games due to a controversial penalty from Sociedad in the second half, so United already is playing in the group stage.
A full charge from Antony that went from the Sociedad area to close to his flag in the right corner and that Takefusa Kubo closed was United’s highlight of a worrying first half in defending. Their visitors were no stronger in that department, as Alejandro Remiro’s drop from Casemiro’s high ball – he ran into Aritz Elustondo – indicated a similar shakiness on their part.
Against rivals eliminated from United’s last 32 two years ago, Ten Hag had recalled Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo, while Victor Lindelöf made his first start of the season and Casemiro his first for the club. Sociedad had David Silva, arguably the best player in Sheikh Mansour’s Manchester City ownership for a decade there, operating as a floating No.10, but it was United manager Christian Eriksen who dominated before the rest.
A pass from the classy Dane saw Anthony Elanga scamper in down the left. Another was attacked to Ronaldo, who could not connect. When Eriksen fed Elanga again, a volley took him past Andoni Gorosabel and a corner was claimed. When he was placed, Diogo Dalot and Maguire somehow missed out on testing Remiro from close range. Eriksen then designed a bewitching dummy and then a touch to Ronaldo, who cursed himself after not finishing.
Cristiano Ronaldo is brought down during Manchester United’s home defeat. Photograph: Socrates Images/Getty Images
Imanol Alguacil’s side, however, raised their own questions about United’s flaky rear-guard. Lindelöf and Maguire’s clearances were unconvincing and Casemiro’s nutmeg of visiting left-back Aihen Muñoz in an advanced position was not part of the defensive shield’s job description.
For the second half Lisandro Martínez replaced Dalot and Bruno Fernandes was introduced by Eriksen. The Portuguese instantly latched onto a ball for Ronaldo, usually lethal with his head, but spurned a golden chance to put United ahead. Moments later, the 37-year-old, who is yet to score this season, fired home from 20 yards.
United had not been so fragmented since their opening two defeats, looking like a unit yet to be drilled in Ten Hag fashion, not one that had claimed victory in their last four outings.
Alexander Sørloth, on as a substitute, should have punished the last of United’s defence, but a wild header was no surprise given the quality so far.
Now, however, came Marco Di Bello’s questionable penalty decision. Silva pulled the trigger and the ball hit Martinez in the leg and then deflected into an arm. The VAR did not advise the referee to look again and Brais Méndez beat David de Gea to the left of the latter. In response, Casemiro headed home but deflected a Fernandes cross as United continued to frustrate.
For the closing stages, Ten Hag brought on Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho, but even so United lacked fluidity and couldn’t keep up with Sociedad’s runners. After Charlie McNeill made his debut, in place of Tyrell Malacia, Sancho’s lack of composure from close range when he should have leveled United summed it up.
However, if at the final whistle they had lost a football game, this was a dark night in which the result really did not matter.