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 17:12 · Karl Matchett]

Erik ten Hag: Even more to come from ‘great’ Marcus Rashford

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag described match-winner Marcus Rashford as “a great player” who will get even better after his side’s 1-0 win against West Ham.

Rashford notched his 100th goal for United with a brilliant first-half header, which extended his side’s unbeaten run in all competitions to eight matches.

The rejuvenated striker is the first United player since Wayne Rooney in 2009 to reach the goalscoring landmark and when asked if he could become an elite player, Ten Hag said: “I think he is already.

“Before you’re 25, to score 100 goals, I think you’re already there, but he won’t be satisfied with that.

“In the end it’s about how many trophies you win with your club and I think he can develop his game even more.”

[3 November 2022 17:06 · Karl Matchett]

Real Sociedad vs Man United: latest news

Permutations for tonight, then.

Real Sociedad are top and three points clear so they will obviously stay there with a win or draw.

United are already through as well, but finishing top means they avoid a play-off against a team dropping down from the Champions League.

So: a United win by one goal won’t be enough - La Real will be level on head-to-head but have a better group goal difference.

Two goals or more being the difference in a United win, however, will see them leapfrog their hosts on the night and take top spot.

[3 November 2022 17:00 · Karl Matchett]

Real Sociedad vs Man United: latest news

Worth a quick recap on the group stage so far for these sides:

Real Sociedad beat United 1-0 in the opener and are so far a perfect five from five. Omonia Nicosia were dispatched before back-to-back wins over FC Sheriff, while finally Omonia were beaten on home soil too. La Real have conceded just once in the group.

United’s defeat in the opener has been followed by four straight wins, the biggest of which was 3-0 against Sheriff last time out.

[3 November 2022 16:55 · Karl Matchett]

Patrice Evra: Cristiano Ronaldo and Erik ten Hag will find solution

Patrice Evra has sympathy with Cristiano Ronaldo’s frustrations at Manchester United but has praised the fairness of new boss Erik ten Hag and insisted the “right solution” between the pair will be found.

United are currently in Spain preparing for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Real Sociedad where top spot in Group E is up for grabs.

Ronaldo is set to lead the line again after doing the same in last weekend’s 1-0 win over West Ham but the 37-year-old has hit the headlines in recent months for issues off the pitch.

He was dropped from the squad to face Chelsea for refusing to come on and storming down the tunnel towards the end of the victory against Tottenham in October in the latest clash between the Portuguese great and his manager.

[3 November 2022 16:51 · Karl Matchett]

Real Soeciedad vs Man United: Confirmed line-ups

And the hosts’ confirmed line-up too:

Real Sociedad XI: Remiro, Gorosabel, Pacheco, Le Normand, Rico, Merino, Zubimendi, Brais Mendez, Marin, Carlos Fernandez, Sorloth

[3 November 2022 16:47 · Karl Matchett]

Real Soeciedad vs Man United: Confirmed line-ups

United’s team news is in and Cristiano Ronaldo starts - as do Donny van de Beek and Casemiro.

Man United XI: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Van de Beek, Garnacho, Ronaldo

[3 November 2022 16:40 · Karl Matchett]

Stormzy launches initiative with Adidas to improve diversity in football

Stormzy is launching a football programme with Adidas for young people of black heritage to enhance and protect diverse representation in the sports industry.

#Merky FC aims to affect change by addressing the lack of diversity off the pitch and providing access to multi-year, paid professional placements.

The collaboration also brings together 10 leading brands including Manchester United, Fulham and Sky Sports to form part of the careers programme, which will start in January 2023.

More details here:

[3 November 2022 16:34 · Karl Matchett]

Man United transfer rumours: Dalot deal and Bellingham target

Jude Bellingham is Man United’s top transfer target for the summer, according to the latest transfer rumours.

There’s also talk over a potential new contract for their in-form right-back Diogo Dalot.

All our latest Premier League transfer rumours round up:

[3 November 2022 16:27 · Karl Matchett]

Manchester United: Casemiro surprised by Erik ten Hag’s ‘obsession for winning’

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro says Erik ten Hag’s obsession for winning sets him apart from most other top-level managers.

United are beginning to show real progress under former Ajax boss Ten Hag and will bid to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine matches in Thursday’s final Europa League group tie against Real Sociedad.

Casemiro, key to United’s improved form since joining from Real Madrid for £70milion in August, played under Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane during 13 years at the Bernabeu.

The Brazilian said: “I’ve been in football for quite a while despite being only 30 and his (Ten Hag’s) obsession for winning is what surprised me the most.

“I think he’s got many strengths. We all know it’s a process and we are growing together and we all see that he wants to win.”

More from the midfielder:

[3 November 2022 16:19 · Karl Matchett]

Cristiano Ronaldo’s relationship with Gary Neville ‘gone’, Rio Ferdinand claims

Rio Ferdinand believes Cristiano Ronaldo’s relationship with Gary Neville is now ‘gone’ after the Portuguese star snubbed his former Manchester United team-mate by the side of the Old Trafford pitch.

Ahead of United’s clash with West Ham on Sunday - that they went on to win 1-0 - Ronaldo ignored Neville despite greeting fellow Sky Sports pundits Louis Saha and Jamie Redknapp as they stood next to the former right-back.

Neville has criticised the 37-year-old for storming down the tunnel and refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham last month, with the forward appearing to have taken that reprimand to heart.

And Ferdinand, who played alongside both men for the Red Devils, admits the friction between the pair is now unlikely to be resolved, aalthough he explains how he would’ve handled the situation differently.

“I don’t think Cristiano is taking that call (if Neville calls him),” Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel.