Real Sociedad 0-1 Man Utd (Garnacho 17′)
Manchester United face two extra matches in this congested season and a draw against one of Europe’s heavyweights after failing to win their Europa League group.
Teenager Alejandro Garnacho scored a superb opener against Real Sociedad on Thursday night but United could not build on their lead to win by a two-goal margin.
The two sides were already assured of progress from Group E ahead of their meeting in San Sebastian, but the La Liga side’s victory at Old Trafford in September meant United travelled to Spain in second spot.
Their failure to score a second meant La Real finish top of the group on goal difference and United are runners-up.
When United look back on this Europa League group stage campaign and the fine margin that left them in second, it will be the two narrow wins over Cypriot minnows Omonia Nicosia will grate most, particularly the game at Old Trafford where they had 34 shots on goal but scored just once in the 93rd minute.
United will now have to play an extra round in mid-February against a side dropping out of the Champions League, with the likes of Barcelona, Juventus or Erik ten Hag’s old side Ajax among their potential opponents.
La Real progressed straight to the last 16 on a night that was only 17 minutes old when Garnacho overtook George Best as United’s youngest non-English goalscorer in European competition with a lovely finish.
Cristiano Ronaldo
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 3, 2022Alejandro Garnacho
What a way to score your first Manchester United goal… keep an eye on this youngster!#UEL pic.twitter.com/WRekZ9V2Bw
Cristiano Ronaldo provided a fine assist for the 18-year-old’s first senior goal and lifted narrowly over towards the end of a first half that ended with David De Gea producing an excellent double save.
But Ten Hag’s side were unable to build on that solid start, with defender Harry Maguire brought on as makeshift striker in a desperate – and ultimately fruitless – attempt to snatch the second goal they needed.
The road to May’s Europa League final in Budapest got harder with this result and United will find out their play-off opponents on Monday.
Who could Man Utd face in Europa League play-off tie?
The Europa League play-off tie was introduced last season and pits the eight runners-up from the group stage against the eight teams who finished third in their Champions League groups.
The draw for this season’s ties will take place at 12pm on Monday 7 November.
The victorious team in each tie will progress to the last 16 where the Europa League group winners lie in wait.
Here’s who Manchester United could face:
- Ajax
- Barcelona
- Juventus
- Leverkusen
- Red Bull Salzburg
- Sevilla
- Shakhtar Donetsk
- Sporting
Garnacho, Donny van de Beek and Victor Lindelof came into the side at the Anoeta, where the injury-hit hosts started brightly and Carlos Fernandez struck into the side-netting unaware he had strayed offside.
United settled after that scare and Ronaldo was soon getting under the skin of the locals, who whistled him as his penalty claim against Robin Le Normand was ignored by the officials.
The 37-year-old looked frustrated but his mood improved in the 17th minute.
Bruno Fernandes headed on a long kick forwards by De Gea to Ronaldo, who sent a superbly-weighted pass through for Garnacho to drive down the left and fire home the opener.
The 18-year-old’s first goal for United was ratified by the VAR after checking Fernandes had not strayed offside.
Ex-Newcastle midfielder Mikel Merino saw a shot blocked as Real tried to equalise, but United stood firm and looked more likely to score a second.
Garnacho slipped at just the wrong moment after some nifty footwork and Ronaldo looked shocked after missing a bigger chance in the 42nd minute.
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Real were creating precious little but De Gea was called into action just before the break.
The long-serving United goalkeeper produced a one-handed stop to deny Andoni Gorosabel’s dipping half-volley from 20 yards, then spread himself well to stop Pablo Marin turning in the rebound from a narrow angle.
The home side returned from the break reinvigorated but were struggling to seriously test De Gea, whose outfield team-mates were starting to lose their way.
Ten Hag turned to Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay – the midfielder surprisingly replacing centre-back Victor Lindelof – but it did not have the desired effect.
Imanol Alguacil’s hosts were smartly slowing the game down and desperate United even brought centre-back Maguire on as an attacker.
Still the visitors toiled and Casemiro saw a shot saved in a 90th-minute melee that was eventually halted by a delayed offside flag.
Five minutes of stoppage time came and went as United won in Spain but lost the battle for top spot.
Additional reporting by Press Association
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