- Red Devils pip Real Sociedad 1-0 for 2nd place
- Gunners record slim victory over FC Zurich
Despite taking revenge with a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in Spain, Manchester United failed to secure the top spot in their Europa League Group E table on goal difference
Thanks to Argentine teenager Alejandro Garnacho’s 17th-minute goal, Eric Ten Hag’s side came out victorious, but it was not enough as they needed to win by two goals or more to end up as group winners.
Garnarcho had brought hope to that ambition in his second start for United finding the back of the net in the 17th minute off an assist from Cristiano Ronaldo, who himself missed a great chance to double the lead with a lob onto the roof of the net.
But it was United’s keeper David de Gea who produced a fine double save to keep out Andoni Gorosabel and Pablo Marin from making matters even inside the Anoeta Stadium, currently known as the Reale Arena for sponsorship purposes.
The Old Trafford Landlords finished the group stage level on 15 points with Sociedad, who advance to the last 16 with a superior goal difference.
With this result, the Red Devils have a February 2023 knockout-round play-offs date with one of the clubs dropping down from the Champions League. However, next on the line for United is their Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Sunday, November 6, 2022.
Interestingly, on the same night, Arsenal sealed their place in the last 16 of the Europa League with a slim 1-0 victory over Zurich at Emirates Stadium.
Kieran Tierney’s 20-yard strike into the bottom right corner ensured the Gunners qualify as Group A winners in a dominant first half in which Eddie Nketiah twice stung the palms of Zurich goalkeeper Yanick Brecher, while Fabio Vieira saw his goalbound effort blocked from close range.
There was a nervy closure to the game as Zurich threatened to pull a goal back but Arsenal held on to claim an all-important victory that saw them winning all of their eight matches against Swiss clubs.
The Gunners also play Chelsea on Sunday, November 6 and the win gives them a major boost going into that big premier league tie.
