Man Utd 0 Real Sociedad 1: Subdued Old Trafford observes minute’s silence as nation mourns Queen’s death

A BIZARRE penalty decision saw Manchester United beaten by Real Sociedad on a dismal night at Old Trafford in the Europa League.

Buckingham Palace announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II after the royal family gathered in Balmoral this afternoon.

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After the Queen’s death, Old Trafford flew its flags at half-mast as teams wore black armbands and all billboards around the grounds had been blacked out.

And the minute’s silence was perfectly respected before both teams launched their respective European campaigns.

It was the 56th minute when Italian referee Marco Di Bello pointed to the spot after the ball struck Lisandro Martinez as he slipped in to block David Silva’s attempt.

But replays showed the shot from close range had hit Martinez in the knee and deflected onto his elbow.

It looked certain that VAR would overturn the decision but it stood and Brais Mendez made no mistake as he defeated David de Gea with a powerful shot to the bottom right corner with a goal that went very against the flow of play.

But aside from the penalty, United couldn’t have too many complaints at the end after an uninspiring performance.

With six changes made by Erik Ten Hag after defeating Arsenal, it was a chance for the players to make claims on Premier League action.

It’s fair to say that the manager will return to ‘Team A’ next time, with Cristiano Ronaldo certainly doing little to ensure he gets his spot back.

This was the tournament that Old Trafford’s Cristiano Ronaldo wanted to avoid.

The five-time Champions League winner, even at 37, once again had his eyes on the biggest prize as he attempted to plot a move from United this summer.

But nobody with drafts wanted him and United not to be there.

It was the first time he had played in the Europa League since playing for Sporting Lisbon against Partizan Belgrade in the competition 20 years ago.

He didn’t look up at the fight.

When he had the ball in the back of the net it was the careless way he failed to get back to the side that cost him.

It was the 35th^th Minute and Diogo Dalot picked up the ball in the middle of the opponent’s half.

But Ronaldo had just backed off from the previous attack and was a meter offside when he hit Dalot’s cross and headed in the goal.

Alejandro Ramiro got a hand but could only slide the ball under the bar and inside.

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Ronaldo didn’t even have time to celebrate before the flag was raised for a clear offside and his body language suggested he knew it was the right decision.

He’d previously failed to head a cross from Christian Eriksen, but didn’t seem to be straining to reach it either.

As Eriksen shoved another pass down the middle, Ronaldo’s first touch was terrible, the ball spinning in the air and possession gone.