Manchester United 0-1 Real Sociedad: Controversial penalty sees Ten Hag men beaten

Brais Mendez's penalty was enough for Real Sociedad to collect all three points against Manchester United in the Europa League.

The ground doors had just opened when Buckingham Palace announced that the country's longest-serving monarch had died aged 96.

United's first European game went as planned under Football Association and UEFA guidelines, with Queen's death eclipsing Thursday's 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad.

The club said it shared "the pain of the whole nation" in a statement which acknowledged "his immense contribution to public life" while offering its condolences and sympathy to the Royal Family.

United supporters paused anti-Glazer chants ahead of kick-off and boisterous La Real supporters paused as the stadium joined in an impeccably observed minute's silence.

Both sides wore black armbands and flags were flown at half mast at Old Trafford, where billboards had gone black and no music was being played.

It was the Red Devils' first Europa League game since their 2021 final loss to Villarreal and Cristiano Ronaldo made just his third appearance in the competition.

The other two came for Sporting when it was still called the UEFA Cup and 20 years later saw a goal ruled out for offside in a forgettable first half.

Real Sociedad improved after the break and took a 59th-minute lead as Brais Mendez converted a penalty following a controversial handball decision against half-time introduction Lisandro Martinez.< /p>

That proved to be the decisive goal in the Group E opener as Erik ten Hag's side saw their four-game winning streak come to an end.

The game got off to a rambling start on a bizarre night in Manchester, where Ronaldo was quickly shut down as he looked to score his first goal of the season.

Antony saw a curling effort saved as the game progressed, with Mendez striking wide before the United star's name thought he had scored.

Ronaldo met a cross from Diogo Dalot in the 35th minute with a header that goalkeeper Alejandro Remiro could only tip under the bar and inside, only for the offside flag to cut short the celebrations.

United introduced Bruno Fernandes and Martinez at the break, with the latter beaten to the ball by La Real's half-time change.

Alexander Sorloth took that chance and the Argentine defender got a crucial toe to prevent him from meeting a Takefusa Kubo cross soon after.

Martinez pounced on Manchester City great David Silva's shot from the resulting corner, the ball ricocheting off his leg and arm.

Referee Marco Di Bello pointed the spot and booked the defender. VAR Massimiliano Irrati ratified the decision and Mendez drilled the penalty past David De Gea.

The game swung from end to end after that point, with the United goalkeeper denying Kubo before Casemiro headed for the floor and more.

The Brazilian midfielder saw a low shot saved by Remiro on his first United start, before Mohamed-Ali Cho tried his luck at the other end.

Charlie McNeill made his debut in the 83rd minute as United chased a goal that would elude them, leading to wild celebrations from the full-time away fans.