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:
14’ - Real Sociedad 0-0 Man United
Lindelof looks to be hobbling a little at the moment. Nothing major, perhaps.
Sorloth is spoken to by the referee as United attempt to play out from the back and he’s a little over-enthusiastic.
Rico is continually the outlet for La Real, but Dalot and Fernandes have done well to double up so far.
10’ - Real Sociedad 0-0 Man United
Plenty of atmosphere in the stadium in these early stages with the home fans hoping to encourage their side toward top spot and the knock-out phase without the need of that play-off.
Rico gets down the left wing now and tries to cross, but the ball to him is just overhit.
Fernandes is playing right wing so far and doing more back-tracking than usual as a result.
6’ - Real Sociedad 0-0 Man United
United trying to react and mount a response to that early pressure.
Ronaldo wants a free-kick after a grab of the shirt but the referee isn’t interested.
Garnacho fires a cross across the face of goal but there’s nobody on the end of it.
2’ - Real Sociedad 0-0 Man United
Lively start by La Real. The hosts know a goal tonight will put them in a great position - United would need three then.
Dalot twice has to be alert to stop breaks forward down his channel and De Gea gathers up a loose ball.
Kick-off! Real Sociedad 0-0 Man United
We are underway at the Reale!
Real Sociedad in their usual blue and white, United in a very vivid yellow/green looking third strip.
Real Sociedad vs Man United: latest news
Warm-ups almost all done and kick-off is on the way shortly.
United know what’s got to be done - can they go out and do the job?
Real Sociedad vs Man United: latest news
A quick word on the hosts tonight, too.
They have been faring very well in LaLiga this term up until recently - but back-to-back defeats to Real Valladolid and Real Betis have seen them drop to fifth. They are, however, only two points off Atletico Madrid in third - it’s very congested in the top half in Spain, other than the top two.
Top scorer Brais Mendez is in the line-up, though Take Kubo has four assists across all competitions - he’s not in the XI.
Real Sociedad vs Man United: latest news
We are about 15 minutes from kick-off! United’s goalscorers in the Europa League so far: Rashford (3), Ronaldo (2), Martial, Sancho, Dalot, McTominay (all 1).
Where are they coming from tonight if the Red Devils are to pick up the points and find the net enough times to go top?
Real Sociedad vs Man United: latest news
A quick note about tonight’s other game in Group E: Sheriff are third and have three points and they host Omonia Nicosia, who have lost every game.
Omonia must win by four tonight to finish third and drop into the Europa Conference League, which doesn’t appear likely.
Elsewhere in the early kick-offs, Monaco face Red Star and Feyenoord play Lazio in the biggest games. We’ll keep you posted if anything dramatic goes on.
Diogo Dalot’s remarkable turnaround brings constant presence to resurgent Manchester United
At a time of change around Manchester United, one of the most notable differences is a constant presence. Diogo Dalot is the only outfield player to have started every single game of Erik ten Hag’s tenure so far, playing all but five minutes of their Premier League campaign.
His displays, striking the right balance between defensive discipline and proactive play in possession, have rebuilt his Old Trafford career and his performance in the hard-fought win over West Ham United may have been the best yet.
It was hard to pick out just one highlight. As West Ham turned the screw in search of an equaliser in the second half, Dalot’s several headed clearances under pressure at the far post bought United time and brought much-needed relief.
Yet there was also his part in Marcus Rashford’s decisive goal – the presence of mind he showed when taking a throw-in, ignoring Casemiro’s call to quickly throw it backwards, instead waiting for an opportunity to play it forwards and set the match-winning move in motion.
Mark Critchley on the United defender’s remarkable turnaround:
Diogo Dalot’s remarkable turnaround brings constant presence to resurgent Man Utd
The Portuguese full-back is the only player to start every match for Erik ten Hag, completing an impressive transformation at Old Trafford
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