Real Sociedad Manchester United Europa League 0-1

Real Sociedad – Manchester United: Basques Bask In Group Stage Triumph (0-1)

The task was plain for Manchester United: win by two a goal margin or accept second position. Erik ten Hag set his sights high, taking risks to achieve this target, but his outfit came up short.
Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere.

Real Sociedad are still flying. Beating their guests on the opening matchday of their Europa League campaign, they have put together a flawless streak to sit at the top of the group. Since that 1-0 win at Old Trafford, they have won five of their eight fixtures in LaLiga, now lying in fifth place— only a point adrift of third placed Atlético Madrid. Mikel Oyarzabal's torn ACL and the exit of Alexander Isak have robbed the Basques of two talismanic figures, but this trial has not fazed Imanol Alguacil.

Erik ten Hag is also on the right track. The Manchester United manager went through a baptism of fire in August, but trialing times have only affirmed his credentials. He has fought backstage politics off the pitch to assert his authority as supreme. Players must fall in line with his demands . . .

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Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere (22) is an ardent Arsenal fan. He now writes as a journalist for several sites but his first love will always be BTP. [ View all posts ]

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