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| Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United during the UEFA Europa League group E match between Real Sociedad and Manchester United at Reale Arena on November 3, 2022 in San Sebastian, Spain. |
Manchester United failed to usurp Real Sociedad at the top of Europa League Group E despite a 1-0 win in San Sebastian as Arsenal secured their place in the last 16 after a 1-0 win over FC Zurich on Thursday.
United now face a tricky playoff against one of the sides dropping down to the Europa League from the Champions League in February with Barcelona and Juventus potential opponents.
Alejandro Garnacho scored the only goal of the night at the Reale Arena after just 17 minutes to surpass George Best as United’s youngest ever non-English scorer in Europe at 18.
But the Red Devils were left to rue their defeat to the Spaniards at Old Trafford on matchday one as they missed out on topping the group on goal difference.
“You don’t always get what you deserve – that’s football,” said United manager Erik Ten Hag.
“We win today but of course we are disappointed we didn’t score two goals because that is what we needed.”
Arsenal did not make the same mistake as a 1-0 win over FC Zurich was enough to hold off PSV Eindhoven to win Group A.
Roma won their showdown with Ludogorets Razgrad to progress to the playoff round thanks to a second half fightback in the Italian capital.
The inaugural Europa Conference League winners were heading back to that competition when the Bulgarians led 1-0 at half-time.
But two Lorenzo Pellegrini penalties and a late goal from Nicolo Zaniolo took Jose Mourinho’s men through.
Dutch team Feyenoord and Danish side Midtjylland progressed from an incredibly tight Group F that saw all four sides end on eight points.
Feyenoord beat Lazio 1-0 in Rotterdam thanks to Santiago Gimenez’s goal.
Midtjylland defeated Sturm Graz 2-0 courtesy of Anders Dreyer’s double.
Europa League match results on November 3, 2022
Group A: Arsenal 1-0 Zürich, Bodø/Glimt 1-2 PSV Eindhoven
Group B: Dynamo Kyiv 0-2 Fenerbahce, Rennes 1-1 AEK Larnaca
Group C: Real Betis 3-0 HJK Helsinki, Roma 3-1 Ludogorets
Group D: Union SG 0-1 Union Berlin, Braga 2-1 Malmo
Group E: Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United, Sheriff 1-0 Omonoia
Group F: Midtjylland 2-0 Sturm Graz, Feyenoord 1-0 Lazio
Group G: Olympiacos 0-2 Nantes, Qarabag 1-1 Freiburg
Group H: Trabzonspor 1-0 Ferencvaros, Monaco 4-1 Crvena zvezda
Key dates of the Europa League
Knockout round play-offs: February 16 and 23, 2023
Round of 16: March 9 and 16, 2023
Quarterfinals: April 13 and 20, 2023
Semifinals: May 11 and 18, 2023
Final: May 31, 2023
