📰 Table Of Contents
Match report
The highly-anticipated Europa League group stage final day meeting between Real Sociedad and Manchester United on Thursday saw the latter ultimately emerge triumphant.
Erik ten Hag’s troops, of course, were back in action a short time ago.
Aware that a victory by two or more goals would see them leapfrog their hosts to take top spot in Group E at the last, the Red Devils made the trip to San Sebastian, for a meeting with La Liga outfit Real Sociedad.
When all was said and done, however, such efforts on the part of the evening’s visitors ultimately came up short.
Instead, United were forced to make do with a commendable albeit disappointing 1-0 triumph.
The game’s solitary goal was forthcoming inside 20 minutes, when Cristiano Ronaldo’s pinpoint pass set youngster Alejandro Garnacho free in behind the hosts’ backline to rifle a fine finish into the roof of the net:
Cristiano Ronaldo 🤝 Alejandro Garnacho
What a way to score your first Manchester United goal… keep an eye on this youngster! 🤩#UEL pic.twitter.com/WRekZ9V2Bw
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 3, 2022
All in all, though, the result means that both Real Sociedad and Manchester United march on to the knockout rounds of the Europa League, with the latter likely facing a more daunting opponent over two legs.
Player ratings
Real Sociedad
Remiro – 5, Gorosabel – 5.5, Le Normand – 5.5, Pacheco – 6, Rico – 6, Mendez – 7, Zubimendi – 6.5, Merino – 6, Marin – 5.5, Fernandez – 5.5, Sorloth – 5
Manchester United
De Gea – 7.5, Dalot – 7, Lindelof – 6.5, Martinez – 7, Shaw – 6.5, Casemiro – 6.5, Eriksen – 5.5, Van de Beek – 5.5, Fernandes – 6.5, Garnacho – 7, Ronaldo – 6.5
Social media & fan reaction
Alejandro Garnacho did Ronaldo’s celebration 🔥
His influence 😱 pic.twitter.com/I341FJvQDM
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 3, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo was hyped for Alejandro Garnacho after he scored his first goal for Manchester United 🤗 pic.twitter.com/laOXsrzzVB
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 3, 2022
With each passing game Enrique’s decision to not call De Gea up to his 55 man provisional squad gets more and more embarrassing.
— 维尼熊 (@UtdEIIis) November 3, 2022
Ten Hag has switched to a 3-3-1-3:
Garnacho Ronaldo Bruno
Rashford
Eriksen Mctominay
Casemiro
Shaw Martinez DalotDid this frequently at Ajax when chasing games. Bold management. 👌👌👌 pic.twitter.com/zmyqk8iQW2
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 3, 2022
Zubimendi is top class
— Freddie (@FParks96) November 3, 2022
Harry Maguire leading the line with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Never thought we’d be writing that.
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) November 3, 2022
Harry Maguire up front: pic.twitter.com/qgk4BCq6Ue
— Josh Butler (@JoshisButler90) November 3, 2022
18 – Alejandro Garnacho (18y 125d) has become @ManUtd‘s youngest non-English goalscorer in major European competition, overtaking George Best (18y 158d against Djurgårdens IF in 1964). Moment. #RSCMUN
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 3, 2022
Martinez 5 foot 10 winning a header from a great cross against a 6 foot 4 striker! Sit down @Carra23
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) November 3, 2022
Been very impressed with Zubimendi today. Heard shouts before for him as rotation at the 6 position. Wouldn’t mind him at Arsenal
— KNGDM Sports (@KNGDM_Prince) November 3, 2022
Real Sociedad 0-1 Manchester United: Man Utd’s 1-0 win in Spain is only good enough to seal 2nd spot in the group, behind their opponents. They needed one more goal to finish top… pic.twitter.com/bkHIdxgDCC
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) November 3, 2022
Manchester United could face one of these teams in the play-off round after finishing 2nd in Group E:
▪️ Barcelona
▪️ Juventus
▪️ Sevilla
▪️ Ajax
▪️ Bayer LeverkusenAs a fan, which of these teams would you want to face?#3Sports #UEL pic.twitter.com/lemngxdFiR
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) November 3, 2022
Official: Timo Werner becomes latest star to miss Qatar World Cup
