Not even a first senior goal from star of the future Alejandro Garnacho could prevent Manchester United from ending up in the dreaded Europa League play-offs.
Two extra games in February against a Champions League side is the last thing United need in this bonkers season and that is the hurdle they must now overcome to reach the last 16. They could also face some difficult opponents with Barcelona, Juventus and Erik ten Hag’s old side Ajax lurking in the draw.
United suffered the agony of finishing second to Real Sociedad by a single goal and their opening-day defeat by the Basque side, courtesy of Brais Mendez’s controversial penalty, on the day the Queen died has proved decisive. It all looked so different when Garnacho scored his first goal for United to beat George Best’s record and become the Red Devils’ youngest non-English goalscorer in Europe at 18 years and 125 days.
The Argentinian’s display was the one big positive on a disappointing night for United and he looks a real talent. At that point, United looked well-positioned to score the second they needed to overhaul Real and top the group.
But United lost their way after an impressive second half and they finished the game with Harry Maguire partnering Cristiano Ronaldo up front as Ten Hag’s tactics became more bizarre. Donny van de Beek failed to impress in his first start under Ten Hag and the Dutch midfielder did little in the No.10 role before he was hooked just before the hour mark.
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The travelling fans had to brave the rain before kick-off and United also had to weather a bright start by Real Sociedad before they opened the scoring on 17 minutes through Garnacho. It was a beautifully-worked goal by United involving Bruno Fernandes, who was shunted out to the right to accommodate the ineffectual van de Beek, and Ronaldo.
Fernandes flicked a header on for Ronaldo to find Garnacho on the left with a precise pass and the Argentinian finished expertly with his left foot into the far top corner. United took control with Lisandro Martinez a rock at the back and Casemiro running the midfield.
Garnacho might have had a second when Fernandes found him on the left again and he showed nice footwork before shooting over. Ronaldo should have netted the second United needed to top the group when Jon Pacheco’s mistake let him in, only for the Old Trafford legend to lift his shot onto the roof of the net.
David de Gea has been immense for United in recent weeks and he delivered again when he made a crucial double save just before half-time. The Spaniard parried Andoni Gorosabel’s drive before blocking teenager Pablo Marin’s follow-up from the rebound with his head.
Martinez has made such a difference at the back for United and he won a critical header with Alexander Sorloth ready to pounce as Real threatened. United lost their way in the second half and Ten Hag went for broke with just over half an hour remaining when he brought on Marcus Rashford, switching to three at the back.
Ten Hag’s tactics became even more desperate when he took off Garnacho and threw Maguire on up front as United went route one. But United could not find the second they so badly needed and now have an unwanted play-off in February.
