Real Sociedad vs Man Utd Europa League final score and result as United win but fail to top group - live
Real Sociedad 0-1 Man Utd: Alejandro Garnacho’s goal wins it for the Red Devils but they now face a play-off after the World Cup
Manchester United face a tough Europa League knockout round play-off tie after failing to build on teenager Alejandro Garnacho’s outstanding opener and beat Real Sociedad by a two-goal margin.
Both sides were already assured of progress from Group E ahead of the San Sebastian showdown, but September’s shock Old Trafford defeat to the LaLiga side meant United travelled to Spain in second spot.
Garnacho’s superb goal got the Red Devils off to a dream start as they sought to usurp the hosts, but they struggled in the second half as Sociedad held tight for a 1-0 loss that means they top the group on goal difference.
Erik ten Hag’s runners-up will now have to play an extra round in mid-February against a side dropping out of the Champions League, with Barcelona, Juventus and his former club Ajax among the potential opponents.
Relive the action as Man Utd beat Real Sociedad in the Europa League:
8’ - Arsenal 0-0 Zurich
Okita is leading the charge for the visitors in these opening stages. Twice he has got behind the left-back now but without finding a good cross at the end of his run.
Nketiah tries to dart down the left wing of Arsenal in turn, but he’s offside and the ball is behind him anyway.
4’ - Arsenal 0-0 Zurich
Jesus has been out on the right side at the start of this game, Nketiah through the middle. Then the Brazilian heads centrally too as he looks to run in behind. No doubt there will be plenty of changing around in the front line and Nketiah will hope to stake his claim for more regular starts.
Arsenal 0-0 Zurich
We are underway! Lots of flags and noise from the visiting supporters, let’s see what Arsenal can offer up to match that atmosphere.
Arsenal vs FC Zurich - latest news
Here’s how the Group A sides are looking ahead of this final game:
- Arsenal 12 pts
- PSV 10 pts
- Bodo/Glimt 4 pts
- FC Zurich 3 pts
As such, the visitors are hoping for a result to send them third and into the Europa Conference League.
Arsenal must at least match PSV - if they draw and PSV win, it’s the Dutch side who are through top of the group on head to head.
Arsenal vs FC Zurich: Confirmed line-ups
Right, second match.
Arsenal face FC Zurich and kick-off is 10 minutes away.
Here are the line-ups:
ARS - Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Elneny, Lokonga, Nelson, Vieira, Jesus, Nketiah
FCZ - Brecher, Kamberi, Katic, Aliti, Boranijasevic, Selnaes, Conde, Guerrero, Rohner, Okita, Tosin
FT - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United
And there’s the whistle!
United claim the points but Real Sociedad claim top spot on goal difference.
It’s the play-offs for the Premier League side, where they could face the likes of Barcelona or Sporting CP.
90+4’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United
A barrage of late balls from United, straight into the box, but they are going nowhere.
Real Sociedad defend them with ease.
90+1’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United
We are into five minutes of stoppage time.
It’s not cultured or planned from United now, it’s simply hit it forward and hope for the best.
Can they get the one chance they need to fall to a player with a cool head and a clinical touch?
88’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United
Dalot into the book for clattering into his man with a raised arm. He’s furious but the ref waves him off.
The home fans are flag-waving and song-chanting, trying to help their side over the line.
An almighty scramble in the box sees two shots blocked and another wastefully smashed wide - then the offside flag goes up anyway. United leaving a late push very late indeed.
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