Critiano Ronaldo wanted to quit United this summer partly because he did not want to turn out in Europe’s second-tier competition and he will like it even less after this shock loss.
He made his second start of the season against Real Sociedad and had a goal disallowed and missed a great chance as United’s four-game winning run came to an abrupt end.
Ronaldo, in his first European game since 2002 outside the Champions League, was one of six changes made by Erik ten Hag and his gamble backfired as United struggled to get out of second gear.
Former Manchester City great David Silva undid them, winning a dubious penalty for handball against Lisandro Martinez, which Brais Mendez converted.
After a four-match winning streak that included victories over Liverpool and Arsenal, the result was depressing for United, and Ten Hag still has a lot of work to do.
Harry Maguire was another of the six changes, and the England centre-half did not take advantage of his chance to persuade Ten Hag that he should be given his regular starting spot back.
Both sets of fans held a minute’s silence in memory of The Queen, and the players wore black armbands, with the flags at Old Trafford flying at half-mast.
