By Victor Kanayo
Spanish club Real Sociedad on Thursday proved tough for English Premier League giant Manchester United, as the latter succumbed to Europa League defeat at home in the opening group stage encounter.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles Sadiq Umar who kept United defence busy was on parade for the La Liga club in a game played after consultation with the Football Association and UEFA following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
No music was played in the stadium around the match and both sides wore black armbands and stood for a perfectly observed minute’s silence as a mark of respect.
Brais Mendez scored the only goal from the penalty spot after 59 minutes following a disputed handball decision against substitute Lisandro Martinez.
In his first European game outside the Champions League since 2002, when he was a teenager at Sporting Lisbon, Cristiano Ronaldo’s first-half header from Diogo Dalot’s cross was disallowed for offside.
Ronaldo also headed Bruno Fernandes’ cross wide at the start of the second-half.
Manchester United play their second group game against Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova on Thursday, September 15, 2022.
Earlier, Arsenal began their Europa League campaign with victory over Zurich.
Arsenal took the lead through debutant Marquinhos converting from Eddie Nketiah’s cutback after 16 minutes.
But Zurich equalised before half-time courtesy of Mirlind Kryeziu’s penalty after Nketiah fouled Ola Selnaes.
Nketiah restored Arsenal’s lead in the second half, heading in at the far post from Marquinho’s cross.
Mikel Arteta’s side face PSV Eindhoven in their second Europa League game next Thursday.
