Real Sociedad vs Man Utd Europa League final score and result as United win but fail to top group - live

Real Sociedad 0-1 Man Utd: Alejandro Garnacho’s goal wins it for the Red Devils but they now face a play-off after the World Cup

'Ronaldo's feelings? Don't ask me' Ten Hag ahead of Sociedad showdown

Manchester United face a tough Europa League knockout round play-off tie after failing to build on teenager Alejandro Garnacho’s outstanding opener and beat Real Sociedad by a two-goal margin.

Both sides were already assured of progress from Group E ahead of the San Sebastian showdown, but September’s shock Old Trafford defeat to the LaLiga side meant United travelled to Spain in second spot.

Garnacho’s superb goal got the Red Devils off to a dream start as they sought to usurp the hosts, but they struggled in the second half as Sociedad held tight for a 1-0 loss that means they top the group on goal difference.

Erik ten Hag’s runners-up will now have to play an extra round in mid-February against a side dropping out of the Champions League, with Barcelona, Juventus and his former club Ajax among the potential opponents.

Relive the action as Man Utd beat Real Sociedad in the Europa League:

Real Sociedad vs Man Utd

• Manchester United beat Real Sociedad 1-0 in San Sebastian
• However, Sociedad still top the group meaning United face a play-off with demoted Champions League side
• Man United XI: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Van de Beek, Garnacho, Ronaldo
• Real Sociedad XI: Remiro, Gorosabel, Pacheco, Le Normand, Rico, Merino, Zubimendi, Brais Mendez, Marin, Carlos Fernandez, Sorloth
• Goal! 17’ - Garnacho scores his first goal for Man United

[3 November 2022 18:40 · Karl Matchett]

HT - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

Real Sociedad not quite sure how they’re not level at the break and nor is the competition’s Twitter account.

Fine reaction stop by De Gea, if slightly inadvertent.

His heroics and Garnacho’s finish are the difference at the interval.

[3 November 2022 18:35 · Karl Matchett]

HT - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

There’s the half-time whistle and it’s job half-done for United.

They lead, they are ahead by one and need to do exactly the same in the second 45 to claim top spot.

For La Real, they need to be far less wasteful - they have had chances themselves.

[3 November 2022 18:31 · Karl Matchett]

44’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

De Gea with two massive saves! The first is actually a weak palm away which leaves him in big trouble as Marin follows up - but somehow the United keeper stretches again, dives low and gets his head to the ball as the shot comes in, diverting the ball over the bar.

Incredible second stop!

A VAR check is going on for a handball penalty but it’s a nonsense - the only arm involved was a Sociedad one anyway.

[3 November 2022 18:29 · Karl Matchett]

41’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

Almost a good moment for the home team as Marin gets into a shooting position, but he scuffs his effort straight into De Gea’s arms.

Up the other end and it surely has to be 2-0 as Ronaldo races through and is gifted a chance to lob the keeper - but sends his effort over the bar and onto the roof of the net.

Nowhere near as clinical as Garnacho was at the other end!

(Getty Images)

(AFP via Getty Images)

[3 November 2022 18:26 · Karl Matchett]

37’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

A scrappy phase of the game over the last 15 minutes or so, in truth. United doing enough to frustrate their hosts and bide their time on the break; La Real not quite able to find a killer pass in the final third.

Shaw is spoken to by the ref after a foul - the official is being a bit fussy so far.

[3 November 2022 18:22 · Karl Matchett]

32’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

Real Sociedad trying to force the issue in attack a little bit more but it’s less-refined in the final third than they need it to be.

Sorloth twice fails to find his feet in time when the ball breaks his way - and in the meantime, United look a real threat on the break.

Garnacho again leads a counter and links with Shaw this time, but the eventual cross is cleared.

[3 November 2022 18:14 · Karl Matchett]

28’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

Fernandes sprays a pass out left and Garnacho is again lively with an eye for goal - but this time he checks inside his marker and curls a shot off-target.

Rico is unhappy that Casemiro studded him in a thigh moments earlier in an aerial challenge, but it was accidental.

[3 November 2022 18:12 · Karl Matchett]

24’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

Mikel Merino is down and needing treatment after falling very heavily - seemed to injure his shoulder when he landed.

He’s staying on for now - for those of you with an eye on the World Cup and players going down injured before it, he has made 11 appearances for Spain but hasn’t been in a squad since last year. Probably only a fringe option at this stage for Luis Enrique.

The midfielder comes back on after treatment and immediately goes down again as the ball is walloped into him from about three yards away.

[3 November 2022 18:07 · Karl Matchett]

20’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

So, as it stands...all level at the top on points, head-to-head points, head-to-head goal difference and even goals scored.

But Real Sociedad have the edge on overall group difference, the next decider. One more for United from this point would change that.

Merino surges forward and strikes from range but Lindelof deflects it behind.

[3 November 2022 18:05 · Karl Matchett]

GOAL! 17’ - Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

What a finish!

Ronaldo plays a pass inside the full-back and Garnacho is onto it first, his speed gets him away from the defender and then he fires in a left-footed shot over Remiro’s head and into the roof of the net!

United lead in San Sebastian.