Man Utd began their Europa League Group E campaign with a shock 1-0 home defeat to Real Sociedad.
Just two hours before kick off it was announced that Queen Elizabeth II had died aged 96. And it was against this sombre background that the game went ahead beginning with an impeccably observed moments silence before kick-off with black armbands being worn by the players.
Utd enjoyed plenty of first half possession but laboured build up play meant s defensive minded Real Sociedad restricted the hosts to just a handful of half chances.
The home side did think they had opened the scoring on 35 minutes but Cristiano Ronaldo was marginally offside as his towering header found the back of the net.
Ronaldo had looked the most likely to break the deadlock and twice he just failed to connect with through balls from Christian Eriksen. Fred had a shot blocked and Alejandro Remiro made a routine save from Anthony.
As for the visitors they were than happy to keep possession, delaying releasing the ball for as long as possible with Remiro kept busy with back passes.
Substitute Bruno Fernandes created an early second half chance for Ronaldo who glanced a header wide from close range and then sent a fierce shot narrowly over the crossbar as Utd increased the tempo.
But then La Real shocked Utd with a quick break and substitute Alexander Sorloth headed over before then failing to connect in front of goal.
But the visitors were not to be denied and on 59 minutes Brais Mendez scored from the penalty stop after substitute Lisandro Martinez was harshly adjudged to have handled whilst blocking a fierce shot. The away fans were delirious as Old Trafford fell silent.
Back came Utd and Casemiro headed over then saw a shot well saved with the Basque outfit threatening a second on the counter. Ronaldo claimed a penalty late on as he was bundled over but the expected pressure from the home side never materialised into clear cut opportunities.
At the end of 3 minutes of added time the Real Sociedad travelling fans celebrated wildly leaving Utd having won only 11 home games out of 31 against Spanish opposition.
Full Time
Man Utd: 0
Real Sociedad: 1 (Mendez 59 pen)
Venue: Old Trafford
