Cristiano Ronaldo’s Europa League Campaign Begins on a Losing Note As Sociedad Pip United at Old Trafford

• Manchester United stumbled to a 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad pipped at Old Trafford in their Europa League opener on Thursday night
• A second-half controversial penalty brought Erik ten Hag's high-flying Red Devils down to earth
• A frustrating night for Cristiano Ronaldo, who was making his appearance in Europe's second-tier competition in two decades, was compounded with a goal ruled out for offside

Manchester United's four-game winning run from the Premier League was brought to a crashing halt in the Europa League on Thursday night.

A controversial penalty scored by Brais Mendez ensured Real Sociedad pipped Man United at Old Trafford.

Both United and Sociedad observed a minute of silence as a form of respect for the demise of the long-serving British monarch, Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - who passed on Thursday.

Beaming with confidence after observing the minute, United began the game on a pedestrian note with little to no goalmouth action.

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However, Old Trafford will be sent to raptures albeit on a brief note when Cristiano Ronaldo's goal was chopped off for offside six minutes after the half-hour mark.

It proved to be the only shot on target as a drab first half was brought to a halt by Italian referee Di Bello.

Both sides shuffled their cards with red-hot Portuguese attacker Bruno Fernandes replacing Christian Eriksen while Lisandro Martinez was drafted in for Diogo Dalot.

Meanwhile, Alexander Sorloth was also brought on by the Sociedad coach. And Alguacil's change will yield positive dividends as the visitors were awarded a controversial penalty via a VAR review.

Young forward Brais Mendez coolly slot home beyond the reach of David De Gea as the Sociedad brought deafening silence to Old Trafford in the 59th minute.

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Tried as much they could Ten Hag's charges could not muster an equalizer with the closest coming from ex-Madrid midfielder Casemiro, whose ferocious shot was repelled by Alex Remiro.

Ronaldo praised for his immense leadership qualities after Arsenal's equalizer

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that a video of Cristiano Ronaldo psyching up his teammates after Bukayo Saka equalised against Manchester United has dropped.

Ronaldo started from the bench during the tense Premier League encounter staged at Old Trafford on Sunday, with summer arrival Antony starting ahead of him.

While Erik ten Hag's decision to bench Ronaldo was widely criticised, the Dutchman was later hailed as a genius after United secured a huge 3-1 win over their arch-rivals.