Manchester United 0-1 Real Sociedad: Key talking points after United opened Europa League campaign with controversial defeat

While Manchester United may have been looking to establish an early Europa League scorer on Thursday night, the Premier League giants opened their Group E adventure with a 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad.< /p>

Despite opening their European campaign with four domestic wins in a row, Erik ten Hag's side would have been disappointed with a largely flat display at Old Trafford.

With Sociedad awarded a hugely controversial penalty just before the hour mark, Brais Mendez's strike from 12 yards gave the Spanish side a famous win.

Watching United come down to earth after their eye-catching purple Premier League patch, we've taken a look at the main talking points.

United's fringe players don't take their chances

Ahead of Thursday's Group E opener after picking up a stunning 3-1 win at home to Arsenal, Manchester United certainly found the mood in their camp at the highest level in recent memory.

Soaring up the Premier League table, many expected Ten Hag to take the opportunity to make some changes here.

However, while the former Ajax boss could have recalled both Harry Maguire and five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, United's fringe superstars missed their chance.

As well as making his full debut in Casemiro's blockbuster summer arrival on Thursday, the decision to play Fred as a number 10 has left plenty of confusion surrounding Manchester's red half.

While it looked like Ronaldo would be set to leave Old Trafford before the summer transfer window closed, the Portuguese icon put on a frustrated figure and more questions are sure to be asked about the player's role in 37 years in the future.

Similarly, with Maguire tumbling down the pecking order by ten Hag and with the duo of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane seen as the Dutchman's number one partnership, the former Leicester defender has failed to make any real claims .

Sociedad ends its English curse

While a 4-1 home pounding against Barcelona on August 21 could be the only defeat Sociedad have suffered in their first four La Liga outings, it's fair to say that Thursday's guests struggled to find the best speed since the opening of the 2022/23 Campaign.

Nevertheless, making the trip to Old Trafford after snatching a point against Atletico last weekend, Imanol Alguacil would have been delighted by his team's courageous display on foreign soil.

Despite seeing attacking talisman Alexander Isak move to Newcastle this summer in a deal that could be worth around £60million, Sociedad have shown real resolve here.< /p>

While there may be a lot of controversy surrounding Mendez's penalty award in the second half, Alguacil and his team won't care.

Eliminated from the Europa League last season in the Round of 16 after a 4-0 aggregate loss to Manchester United, Sociedad also ended their winless record against English opponents.

In fact, Thursday's stunning 1-0 victory is the first time in seven attempts that the Basque-based side have picked up an English scalp.

Different competition, same VAR controversy

While Manchester United may have put on a toothless display here, there's no doubt that Marco Di Bello's decision to award Sociedad's second-half penalty will make plenty of headlines.

After last weekend's Premier League matches were marred by greater VAR controversy following incidents at Stamford Bridge and St. James' Park, it was much the same history in Manchester.

Although the ball was clearly seen to have deflected off Lisandro Martinez's thigh before ricocheting off his arm, Di Bello's controversial call was not overturned by VAR - which made the side of furious United.

However, while the Red Devils may be desperate to get back on their winning streak immediately after their Europa League blip, the former Premier League champions may have to wait a bit longer to get back on the pitch.< /p >

With the death of Queen Elizabeth II announced ahead of Thursday's European matches, it is expected that all matches across England will be postponed this weekend as a mark of respect.

Match report:

Manchester United: De Gea, Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Fred, Elanga, Ronaldo

Subs: Martinez, Fernandes, Sancho, McNeill, Ferreyra

Real Sociedad: Remiro, Gorosabel, Elustondo, Pacheco, Munoz, Zubimendi, Mendez, Merino, Silva, Kubo, Umar

Submarines: Sorloth, Turrientes, Cho, Sola, Barrenetxea

Goals: Mendes (enclosure 59′)

Yellow cards: Manchester United: De Gea, Fred – Real Sociedad: Turrientes, Munoz, Silva

Red C...