Real Sociedad 0-1 Manchester United LIVE! Europa League result, match stream and latest updates today

Real Sociedad vs Manchester United LIVE!

Manchester United beat hosts Real Sociedad 1-0 on Thursday but the Spanish side finished top of Europa League Group E on goal difference and the English team will go into the knockout round play-offs.

Alejandro Garnacho scored his first goal for United after 17 minutes when Cristiano Ronaldo played him through on goal with a nice pass and the 18-year-old placed the ball into the corner of the net. United needed one more goal to overtake Sociedad in the standings on goal difference but they struggled to create clearcut chances in the second half.

Sociedad topped the group on 15 points, the same as United. Moldova's FC Sheriff will go into the Europa Conference League after finishing third following their 1-0 home win over Omonoia Nicosia.

Real Sociedad vs Man United highlights

• GOAL! Garnacho scores first for club

Real Sociedad de Fútbol 0 - 1 Manchester United FC

Thanks for joining us!

20:18 , Marc Mayo

Manchester United missed out on topping Europa League Group E on goal difference despite Alejandro Garnacho’s goal sinking Real Sociedad on Thursday night.

Recap the action with our match report!

Lots more football to enjoy

20:13 , Marc Mayo

West Ham are in Bucharest for a Europa League clash as we speak while Arsenal host FC Zurich as they look to avoid the play-off round Man United now find themselves in.

You can follow that game at the Emirates live here!

Around the grounds

20:03 , Marc Mayo

When’s the draw?

20:01 , Marc Mayo

Monday, 12pm GMT. Mark it in your diaries.

The winning goal

19:56 , Marc Mayo

Big celebrations from the Sociedad fans!

19:51 , Marc Mayo

What it all means...

19:45 , Marc Mayo

Manchester United face a play-off with a demoted Champions League team in February.

Monday’s draw could pitch them against Barcelona...

Read the full story!

Full time!

19:41 , Marc Mayo

Man United forced to settle for second!

19:41 , Marc Mayo

90+5 mins: Fernandes one more time... his cross is overhit.

19:40 , Marc Mayo

90+4 mins: A corner goes short but fails to reach the box until Shaw’s desperate, deflected cross.

It comes in again and McTominay’s header is scooped up by the keeper!

19:39 , Marc Mayo

90+2 mins: Fernandes’ cross is charged down and United have to work a new opening. It just isn’t happening for the Red Devils.

19:36 , Marc Mayo

89 mins: United start to load the box, the offside flag finally going up against Casemiro after a goalmouth scramble.

That was clear as day, why wait to raise the flag?

Five minutes added on...

19:34 , Marc Mayo

86 mins: Sociedad fail to make anything of a corner and the visitors, in that 3-4-3 formation, go long.

The ball comes right back at them and Dalot gets booked for leaving an arm on Magunazelaia. Pretty clear foul, to be fair.

19:30 , Marc Mayo

84 mins: That is indeed Maguire up front, partnering Ronaldo. We’ve all wanted to see it, secretly.

19:29 , Marc Mayo

82 mins: More changes.

Mendez and Sorloth off for Magunazelaia and Zubeldia.

Maguire and Fred replace Garnacho and Eriksen for United. Hmmm.

19:27 , Marc Mayo

80 mins: A wry smile and shake of the head for Ronaldo as he hits the deck competing for a high ball, and wins nothing off the referee.

This game has opened up enough for United to maintain hope and Casemiro nearly gets on the end of a hopeful hoof from Shaw into the box.

19:24 , Marc Mayo

77 mins: Sorloth, who doesn’t really look like he’s made for mazey runs, takes it upon himself with a dribble at Martinez before shooting high and wide.

All a bit scrappy, this one.

19:22 , Marc Mayo

75 mins: Rico schools Ronaldo after blocking a cross as Garnacho waited in the middle, the Spaniard taking a simple tumble under pressure to win a simple foul.

19:18 , Marc Mayo

71 mins: Ronaldo, not the most popular man in Reale Arena, takes a yellow card for jumping a bit too briskly for the referee’s liking.

That feels a harsh one as his arms were used to help his leap as they cleaned out the defender.

The referee has lost control a bit here, Fernandez taking a yellow for time wasting as he departs for Guevara.

19:17 , Marc Mayo

70 mins: McTominay entering the pitch has pushed United into a three-man backline, a bit of an unusual formation now but you cannot fault the intent.

Once again, Sociedad find their man in the box and Fernandez flies a volley over the bar.

19:15 , Marc Mayo

68 mins: The game is just drifting away from United and Shaw slips to let the hosts in, Dalot eventually conceding a free-kick and Fernandez heading over.

Still a sense the visitors can score a second, of course...

19:11 , Marc Mayo

64 mins: Some frustration creeping into La Real now, the fans in particular.

No reason for Mendez to show his anger at conceding a clear foul on Shaw though, he gets booked for kicking the ball away.

19:08 , Marc Mayo

62 mins: Martinez comes off worst after lunging in, perhaps getting the ball but taking a significant amount of man to the jaw.

The referee produces the yellow card, to boot.

19:06 , Marc Mayo

60 mins: A good burst forward from Rashford straight off the bench and the corner is cleared at the near post.

It’s McTominay slotting in at the back. Ten Hag did have Magure available - is he now fifth choice?!

19:04 , Marc Mayo

58 mins: Rashford and McTominay on for Van de Beek and Lindelof. Interesting one at the back, that.

Sociedad swap Gorosabel for Elustondo at right-back and Navarro replaces Marin.

19:02 , Marc Mayo

55 mins: Both sides have been commanding in dealing with balls into the box, Lindelof the latest on the end of a Sociedad cross from the left.

The home team will come again though, as Fernandes fouls Zubimendi inside his own half.

18:59 , Marc Mayo

52 mins: United, like the first half, still want to go direct with first Fernandes and then Van de Beek getting in down the right.

The first is repelled as Ronaldo lurked, the second offside by the Dutchman’s shoulder.

18:56 , Marc Mayo

49 mins: A succession of corners from La Real ends with Zubimendi awkwardly stabbing his right foot at a bouncing ball on the penalty spot. It goes over.

Right spot, wrong player as the defensive midfielder really should have taken that on his weaker left foot.

CHANCE REAL SOCIEDAD!

18:54 , Marc Mayo

47 mins: Martinez gets a vital touch on Sorloth’s header to divert it over the bar.

A promising start from the home team.

Kick-off!

18:51 , Marc Mayo

The second half begins in San Sebastian.

First-half highlights: Garnacho’s opening goal

18:50 , Marc Mayo

Refresh your memory of United’s opener as the players return to the pitch.

Second-half coming up!

18:47 , Marc Mayo

A two-goal win is needed for Man United to top Group E and receive a bye to the last-16.

Around the grounds

18:44 , Marc Mayo

All level in the other Group E game, here is how the Europa League early kick-offs look...

Stats watch

18:40 , Marc Mayo

Real Sociedad lead five to three in shots and three to one in shots on target, showing how this has not been a game of many chances.

It’s tight in possession (52-48 per cent to La Real) with the 80-79 per cent split in passing accuracy showing how this also has not been the most precise of matches so far.

Half time! Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

18:35 , Marc Mayo

That goal from Garnacho is the difference at the break.

A relatively quiet, perhaps nervy, half from both teams. De Gea’s double save kept out La Real on the brink of the break.

18:32 , Marc Mayo

45 mins: A bit of a VAR check for a possible Casemiro handball from the corner. Not given.

Three minutes added on.

CHANCE REAL SOCIEDAD!

18:31 , Marc Mayo

43 mins: De Gea to the rescue!

A volley from distance is parried by the goalkeeper and Marin is on hand to tuck away from a tight angle - but De Gea somehow turns it away again.

CHANCE MAN UNITED!

18:29 , Marc Mayo

41 mins: Ronaldo has to score!

A long ball forward may have caught him offside had it gone to VAR... but the striker doesn’t know that as he picks the pocket of the defender and lobs the keper.

It lands on the roof of the net!

18:28 , Marc Mayo

40 mins: All a bit quiet at Reale Arena as we drift towards half time, United beginning to put more of a foot on the bakk,

Sociedad get it back and Marin can only fire off a tame dribbler that De Gea collects for his first save of the night.

18:23 , Marc Mayo

35 mins: The locals are unhappy with how Garnacho won the ball in his own D, a slight elbow making contact with the ball as it bounced behind him and it would have been a mighty harsh foul.

United come forward well and Fernandes’ header back to Eriksen arriving into the box is cleared.

18:20 , Marc Mayo

32 mins: Finally, the hosts pick out Sorloth in a great spot down the right channel of the box.

The Norwegian is hardly the most agile striker and attempts to spin goalward, but finds Martinez right on his case and the defender wins that battle.

18:18 , Marc Mayo

30 mins: Not a huge amount of United pressure since the goal, they are certainly set up to play on the break (with just 45 per cent possession).

And with Sociedad unable to string a deadly pass into their box, the visitors look relatively at ease.

18:14 , Marc Mayo

27 mins: There’s that boy Garnacho looking a threat again on the left, picking up the ball from a great Fernandes pass.

He checks back on his right and slips as he fires off the shot, sending it over.

18:13 , Marc Mayo

25 mins: Merino will carry on, a boost for Sociedad as their captain continues - and he takes a sharp ball to the manhood right as he re-enters play!

“That’ll take his mind off his shoulder,” says Robbie Savage on commentary. Savage, indeed...

18:11 , Marc Mayo

23 mins: A painful-looking injury for Merino as he slips on the turf and lands awkwardly.

It’s the shoulder that took the brunt of it and La Real may need to make a change.

18:08 , Marc Mayo

20 mins: So, United are halfway to the two-goal win that they need to win the group.

But Sociedad will not go down quietly and Merino wins a corner with a deflected shot.

GGGGOOOOOOAAAALLLL!!! Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United | Garnacho

18:04 , Marc Mayo

16 mins: WHAT A MOMENT!

That’s just a really, really nice goal.

Fernandes flicks a header to Ronaldo for a counter. The pass to Garnacho on the left is smooth and the winger bounds forward before unleashing a mighty strike into the top corner.

A first goal for the club and a thing of beauty.

18:02 , Marc Mayo

15 mins: Perfectly even game so far, the end product just lacking from both teams.

Given the permutations, Sociedad will be the happier side.

18:01 , Marc Mayo

13 mins: More promising intent from Garnacho as he skips inside from the left, although his pass to Ronaldo is overhit and off-target.

17:57 , Marc Mayo

10 mins: After the Ronaldo appeal, there was a very dangerous ball in from Garnacho - the youngster showing plenty of intent in the box. No one there to finish it, mind.

17:56 , Marc Mayo

8 mins: United do not want to lose this game early, Ten Hag’s tactics are far from throwing the kitchen sink at La Real.

An early tumble from Ronaldo in the box is waved away, the home fans unhappy with seeing the ex-Madrid man coming back to protest at the official.

Certainly not a foul, arguably not even in the box as he tangles going for a pass to his chest.

17:52 , Marc Mayo

5 mins: A first sight of goal for Sociedad but Fernandez is just offside as he gets in behind, slashing the shot into the side netting at the near post before the flag goes up.

17:50 , Marc Mayo

4 mins: It’s Fernandes wide right for the Red Devils, Van de Beek through the middle of the 4-2-3-1 with Garnacho on the left.

As ever, plenty of freedom for the United attackers to roam around the pitch.

Remember, Rashford on the bench tonight with a slight muscle tweak. Sancho and Antony haven’t travelled.

17:49 , Marc Mayo

2 mins: Early pressure from Sociedad as Dalot is allowed to send a potential backpass to De Gea without giving away a free-kick.

It would have been harsh - but United are yet to get out of their half.

Kick-off!

17:47 , Marc Mayo

The visitors get the ball rolling!

17:46 , Marc Mayo

Bruno Fernandes captains the United side tonight and takes part in the coin toss with referee Georgi Kabakov of Bulgaria.

Here come the players!

17:43 , Marc Mayo

Lots of blue-and-white scarves aloft for a belting atmosphere inside Reale Arena!

The visitors are in green and black as they enter the pitch ahead of the anthem...

Reminder!

17:39 , Marc Mayo

BT Sport will broadcast tonight’s game live, with plenty of action to follow while you have this blog open to keep on top of Sociedad vs United!

Paul Scholes on Alejandro Garnacho

17:36 , Marc Mayo

“[Ten Hag] thinks highly of him, rightly so after last week. We didn’t know much about him but he was so impressive, confident. Lots of wide players can beat a player either side - he can go down the right, the left. He’s a real talent.”

Countdown to kick-off

17:35 , Marc Mayo

Just ten minutes until the teams step out in San Sebastian.

Draw details

17:29 , Marc Mayo

Both of these teams will hope to have their feet up on Monday when the Europa League play-off round draw is held at 12pm GMT.

The runners-up of each Europa League group will face a third-placed team from the Champions League.

Group winners get a bye to the last-16.

The warm-ups are underway

17:23 , Marc Mayo

Cristiano Ronaldo scored in seven of his nine appearances against Sociedad for Real Madrid - although none of them came at this stadium!

The only time he hasn’t beaten tonight’s opponents came earlier this year in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford.

He’ll be hoping for better with kick-off in just ove 20 minutes’ time.

Europa League winner odds

17:18 , Marc Mayo

Man United trail Arsenal as the current bookies’ favourites to win the tournament...

Arsenal: 4/1

Barcelona: 9/2

Man Utd: 5/1

Juventus: 10/1

Real Sociedad, Ajax: 14/1

Betis, Sevilla: 16/1

Odds provided by Betfair.

Erik ten Hag on Donny van de Beek starting

17:13 , Marc Mayo

“I think always when you play, it has to be special - but it is for him. It’s the first time since he was injured, he’s back. He has to work himself back [into fitness] and we need him.”

Van de Beek last started a competitive Man United game in December 2021!

Today’s stage!

17:05 , Marc Mayo

Historically known as Anoeta, we’re at Reale Arena for today’s clash.

Opened in 1993, it underwent a major renovation that was completed in 2019 to expand it to a modern, 39,313-seater arena.

Real Sociedad are unchanged

16:58 , Marc Mayo

Imanol Alguacil sticks with the same starting XI that lost to Real Betis on the weekend.

That means a start for former Newcastle midfielder Mikel Merino, ex-Bournemouth man Diego Rico and one-time Crystal Palace flop Alexander Sorloth.

Three changes for Man United

16:52 , Marc Mayo

Marcus Rashford is the big absentee for the visitors, he’s named on the bench as Anthony Elanga and Harry Maguire also drop out.

In comes Donny van de Beek for his first start of the season while young winger Alejandro Garnacho also plays.

Victor Lindelof shakes off an illness to return in central defence.

How the hosts line up

16:48 , Marc Mayo

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

Subs: Sola, Illarramendi, Zubeldia, Elustondo, Zubiaurre, Guevara, Navarro, Turrientes, Gonzalez, Marrero, Karrikaburu, Magunacelaya.

The Red Devils arrive

16:43 , Marc Mayo

Cristiano Ronaldo, who leads the line for Man United tonight, joins his team tonight upon his return to Spain.

A few surprises there...

16:36 , Marc Mayo

We’ll have the home team news imminently.

Man United team news is in!

16:32 , Marc Mayo

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

Subs: Dubravka, Vitek, Malacia, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka, Fred, McTominay, Iqbal, Pellistri, Elanga, Rashford, Shoretire.

Tonight’s schedule

16:25 , Marc Mayo

Lots of fascinating games in the Europa League tonight, none more so than in San Sebastian.

Later on, Roma and Ludogorets face off for a spot in the knockouts while Arsenal host FC Zurich hoping to win their group.

Last time out for Real Sociedad

16:19 , Marc Mayo

A 2-0 humbling at home to Real Betis left Sociedad fifth in LaLiga - their second domestic defeat in a row.

Last time out for Man United

16:12 , Marc Mayo

Marcus Rashford scored the winner in a crucial Premier League win against West Ham.

Will he continue his fine form tonight? Time is running out to make that World Cup squad...

Let’s talk permutations!

16:06 , Marc Mayo

Tonight, Man United must win by two clear goals to top Group E.

Should United win by two or more goals, they will win the group. .

If United win by one goal, draw or lose, Sociedad will finish as group winners.

Further down the group, FC Sheriff can still make it into the Europa Conference League should they avoid defeat to Omonia by three goals or more.

Head-to-head record

16:01 , Marc Mayo

In five meetings including two goalless draws, a total of seven clean sheets have been kept between these two teams.

Real Sociedad wins: 1

Draws: 2

Manchester United wins: 2

Match odds

15:57 , Marc Mayo

Real Sociedad: 12/5

Draw: 12/5

Manchester United: 6/5

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

Evening Standard score prediction

15:50 , Marc Mayo

Sociedad are pretty low scorers this season while United have rarely hit full stride, so expect a nervy match-up in northern Spain.

A 1-0 United win.

15:45 , Marc Mayo

Predicted Manchester United XI: De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Ronaldo.

Man United early team news

15:40 , Marc Mayo

Anthony Martial is once again in training after suffering a back problem of late but will not travel to Spain. Jadon Sancho and Antony are also unavailable, meaning Cristiano Ronaldo will be heavily relied upon.

“Jadon Sancho, he was ill,” confirmed Ten Hag yesterday.

“And Anthony Martial is still in recovery, in the rehab, and has to finish that. He did train this morning so we are going in the right direction.”

Raphael Varane is out but Aaron Wan-Bissaka is in the squad.

Real Sociedad early team news

15:34 , Marc Mayo

Takefusa Kubo misses out for La Real while nursing a shoulder injury. Alex Sola should recover from his knock to feature.

Manchester City old boy David Silva is unavailable, along with Ander Barrenetxea, Momo Cho, Aihen Munoz, Mikel Oyarzabal and Umar Sadiq.

How to watch

15:31 , Marc Mayo

TV channel: The match will be televised live on BT Sport 1, with coverage beginning at 5.15pm.

Live stream: BT Sport subscribers will also be able to watch the action online via the BT Sport website or app.

Hello and welcome!

15:24 , Marc Mayo

What a night we have in store for you!

Real Sociedad vs Manchester United is your early kick-off in the Europa League with a 5.45pm GMT start time in northern Spain.

Top spot of Group E is up for grabs... follow all the action from Reale Arena via Standard Sport’s live blog - right here!