This was Manchester United's first Europa League game since losing the 2021 final to Villarreal, and Cristiano Ronaldo was making his third participation in the competition. After the break, Real Sociedad played well and took the lead in the 59th minute when Brais Mendez converted a penalty after a questionable handball call against halftime substitution Lisandro Martinez. It turned out to be the game-winning goal in this Group E opener, ending Erik ten Hag's team's four-game winning streak.
On a peculiar Manchester night, play got underway sloppily, and Ronaldo was swiftly shut down as he attempted to score the season's opening goal. In the 83rd minute, Charlie McNeill entered the game for the first time as United searched for an unattainable goal. The away fans burst into joy at the game's end.