United takes revenge on Sociedad severely!
When does a win feel like a defeat? When Harry Maguire is sent on to play as a striker chasing a goal that would not come and Cristiano Ronaldo’s costly miss condemned Manchester United to an unwanted Europa League play-off in the New Year.
It is not just the extra two games United must squeeze into a condensed calendar,
it is the fact they will have to face one of the eight teams dropping down from the Champions League that stings.
Erik ten Hag’s chances of winning European silverware in his first season has become a whole lot harder when you consider United
could face the likes of his former club Ajax,
Barcelona, Juventus,
Sevilla or Sporting Lisbon in February.
The fact he was willing to switch to a back three,
chasing the second goal they needed to top the group, showed how important the Dutchman felt it was. As was throwing on Maguire as a centre forward.
Their goal was a combination of youth and experience,
the oldest player on the pitch,
Ronaldo, creating the goal for the youngest Alejandro Garnacho.
It was a goal which underlined why there has been such a buzz of excitement surrounding the young Argentinean as he came through the age groups. The 18-year-old impressed on his first start against Sheriff Tiraspol last week,
