David de Gea was the standout performer, but Cristiano Ronaldo was sub-par as Manchester United beat Real Sociedad 1-0 on Thursday.
Real Sociedad came hot out of the gates and took the game to Manchester United. But clearcut chances came few and far between for the hosts, and Manchester United gradually grew into the proceedings. The visitors broke the deadlock with a superb move as Bruno Fernandes rose high to meet David de Gea’s long pass.
The ball fell to Cristiano Ronaldo, who released Alejandro Garnacho. And the teenage prodigy made no error in beating Alex Remiro. The two teams traded blows after that but did not create many openings. However, Manchester United should have been two up when Ronaldo had only Remiro to beat. But the veteran striker fluffed his lines from a dinked effort.
Real Sociedad then came close to scoring close to half-time, but David de Gea made a stunning double save to keep his side ahead. La Real remained on top after the break and rarely let Manchester United create a goalscoring opportunity.
The hosts did not engineer an opening either. And Manchester United failed to test Remiro. In the end, the second half ended just as it had started. But while the Red Devils managed a 1-0 win, it was not enough to climb to the top of the UEFA Europa League Group E. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Erik ten Hag’s men.
David de Gea: 8/10
👐 Another clean sheet for @D_DeGea.#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/lz7sbkjail
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 3, 2022
David de Gea was in for a crucial test against Real Sociedad, who tested him with a few openings. And the Spaniard was at hand to keep Manchester United ahead, with a double save at the stroke of half-time standing out. Real Sociedad barely tested him after the break.
Diogo Dalot: 6/10
Dalot continued his fine run with another solid display. While the Portuguese international did not create many chances, he progressed well with the ball. But Dalot had a few nervy moments in the defensive phases, losing possession cheaply in dangerous areas.
Victor Lindelof: 7/10
Lindelof replaced Harry Maguire in the starting lineup and was a solid presence at the heart of the Manchester United defence. The Swede kept a lid on Carlos Fernandez and won all his attempted duels (6). At the same time, Lindelof made several crucial clearances and a block to keep his side ahead before going off for Scott McTominay.
Lisandro Martinez: 7/10
Martinez was a rock at the back for Manchester United, making several crunching tackles to keep Alexander Sorloth quiet. The Argentine completed six clearances and three interceptions. But his late yellow card means he will be unavailable in the first game of the knockout stage.
Luke Shaw: 6/10
Shaw could not make his trademark runs into the final third. He enjoyed a few bright moments but failed to create a chance. But the English international was careless in possession on a few instances, losing the ball 21 times. However, Shaw was solid at the back, winning six duels and completing three interceptions.
Luke Shaw’s game by numbers vs. Real Sociedad:
88 touches
43 passes completed
5/6 ground duels won
3 interceptions
2/2 dribbles completed
1 cross completed
1 aerial duel wonGood going forward tonight. 💫 pic.twitter.com/2ODa89LtA8
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 3, 2022
Casemiro: 7/10
Casemiro was a solid customer in the middle of the park. While Real Sociedad overran the Brazilian goalkeeper a few times, he made several crucial defensive interventions. Casemiro won nine duels while completing various clearances (5), tackles (4), and interceptions (2).
Christian Eriksen: 6/10
Eriksen was not quite at his best against Real Sociedad. The Dane struggled in the face of the hosts’ press, losing possession 17 times in the game. La Real also bypassed him off the ball on several occasions, with Eriksen failing to make his mark in a rare game.
Bruno Fernandes: 6/10
Bruno Fernandes featured as the right-sided attacker for Manchester United, which robbed him of his best abilities. While the Portuguese playmaker played a couple of key passes, he failed to surpass the Real Sociedad defence. He needs better runners around him to create a better impact.
Donny van de Beek: 5/10
Donny van de Beek, who made his first start of the season on Thursday, had appeared boisterous in the build-up to the game. But the Dutch midfielder did not get involved as much as he would have liked, managing only 18 touches in his outing. He still lacks match fitness and will need some time to get back to peak sharpness.
Alejandro Garnacho: 7/10
Alejandro Garnacho has scored his first goal for Manchester United on his second start.
What a finish. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QKJVxoTIrA
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 3, 2022
Garnacho earned a second successive start in the Europa League and was a bundle of energy in the final third. And the young attacker produced a brilliant finish to hand Manchester United the lead. But he faded as the minutes wore on before Harry Maguire replaced him.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 6/10
Ronaldo, the player to watch in our preview, started the game well as he laid the ball for Garnacho to score the opener. But apart from that moment, the Portuguese international was largely anonymous. However, he had a glorious opportunity to score Manchester United’s second, only to fluff his lines.
SUBSTITUTES
Marcus Rashford: 6/10
Rashford looked lively immediately after replacing van de Beek. But the English international failed to get into dangerous positions, with Real Sociedad keeping Manchester United at bay.
Scott McTominay: 6/10
McTominay came on for Lindelof as Manchester United looked to create overloads in the Real Sociedad half. But the Scottish midfielder’s arrival did not have the desired effect as Manchester United failed to score another goal.
Fred: N/A
Fred helped keep Manchester United in control in the game’s dying embers after replacing Eriksen. But he could not produce a game-changing moment.
Harry Maguire: N/A
Maguire played in the final third after replacing Garnacho, but he did not manage an effort.
