Spanish side Real Sociedad have grabbed an unlikely victory over Manchester United in both sides' first fixture of the 2022/23 Europa League season.
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Real Sociedad shock Manchester United at Old Trafford on Umar Sadiq Europa League debut
Real Sociedad ended Manchester United's run of four matches unbeaten with a shock 1-0 victory at Old Trafford in the Europa League
Umar Sadiq battling with Casemiro in Manchester United's clash with Real Sociedad (Twitter/Goal)
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Manchester United succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of their Spanish visitors courtesy of a 59th-minute penalty from Brais Mendez.
Super Eagles striker Umar Sadiq made his Europa League debut against the Red Devils, making his mark in the first 45 minutes of the match at Old Trafford.
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Real Sociedad stun Manchester United in Europa League
Real Sociedad came into the match flying high having lost just one game all season, a 4-1 defeat to Barcelona, and the Imanol Alguacil-led side showed their intent to play from the start.
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Alguacil chose to start with new signing Sadiq as the lone striker with the duo of Takefusa Kubo and David Silva providing creativity from midfield.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag also handed Cristiano Ronaldo his second start of the season while also recalling Harry Maguire to the starting line-up in their Europa League bow.
The Red Devils dominated the first half, gaining a higher percentage of the ball and having the better chances of the half but they failed to get past Alex Remiro in the Sociedad goal.
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Nigerian international Sadiq was also adequately marshalled by the central defensive duo of Maguire and Lindelof as both out-of-favour defenders sought to make an impression on Ten Hag.
The United manager made a baffling change at halftime, bringing on Lisandro Martinez in place of Christian Eriksen.
However, Martinez's first contribution of note would be to concede a penalty, albeit harsh, after the Video-Assistant Referee (VAR) upheld referee Marco di Bello's decision to award a spot kick for handball in the area.
David de Gea guessed the right direction but the United goalkeeper could not keep out a well-taken kick by Mendez as Sociedad took the lead in England.
United threw everything they had at the visitors but Sociedad's defence stood strong, denying Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Casemiro of goalscoring chances till full time.
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Umar Sadiq stats in Manchester United vs Real Sociedad
Sadiq had a silent debut in the Europa League against Manchester United, failing to muster any shot on target or off target, while he had one (1) shot blocked.
Umar Sadiq at his Real Sociedad unveiling
Pulse Nigeria
The Real Sociedad forward also had a hard time getting on the ball, having only 14 touches in the first half, part of which he completed one (1) dribble but lost possession four (4) times.
Sadiq won one (1) of the three (3) duels he contested while also contributing one (1) clearance to the defensive phase of the Real Sociedad team before being substituted for Alexander Sorloth at the beginning of the second half.
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The Nigerian international will hope to get back to his stride when Real Sociedad visit the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Sunday, September 11 to face Getafe in their Matchday 5 fixture of the 2022/23 Spanish La Liga.
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