Manchester United player ratings v Real Sociedad: Eriksen 8, Casemiro 6, Ronaldo 5

Erik ten Hag's team fall to 1-0 defeat against Spaniards in Europa League opener

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  David De Gea 6: Went the right way but beaten by a perfect Mendez penalty. That was La Real’s first goaljust after hour mark. Alert to save an 89th minute break. Booked late on. Getty

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  Tyrell Malacia 6: Heavily involved throughout in a match decided by a bizarre penalty decision. AFP

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  Victor Lindelof 6: Started in central defence before switching to right back where he looked as unconvincing in that position as when he last played a Spanish side – Atletico Madrid in February. EPA

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  Harry Maguire 7: Did little wrong in his first start since that disastrous game against Brentford almost a month ago. AFP

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  Diogo Dalot 6: Attacked from defence in the first half as United’s looked to get ahead. Off at half time in United’s first home defeat in the Europa League since 2012. That was against a Basque side, too, in Athletic Bilbao. Getty

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  Fred 5: Busy in the first half in a more advanced role. A poor touch meant an attack involving Elanga slowed down, then saw a shot deflected off same player. A mix of good and bad distribution wise, picked up yellow card after following through tackle eight minutes from time. PA

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  Christian Eriksen 8: Man of the match against Arsenal on Sunday and again in the first half against the Basques before he came off at break. Set up Ronaldo with fine reverse pass in first half. Effective at free-kicks and moving United's play forward. EPA

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  Casemiro 6: First start for since his move from Real Madrid. Beaten by Munoz in an early La Real attack. Came back well to cover and block after poor Fred pass. Had United’s second effort on target after 77 minutes and another on injury time. Mediocre, at best, on his debut. AFP

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  Antony 6: Went for the far corner with a shot after 25 minutes. Up against a fine defence and a team who scored their first goal against United in five games. Reuters

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  Anthony Elanga 7: A threat in the first half, his excellent work down the left to set up Fred after 23 minutes. Rapid and always wanted to go forward. Played well. Reuters

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  Cristiano Ronaldo 5: His first start in a secondary Uefa competition for 20 years, he had a one-on-one after 13 minutes but was offside. As he was after a superb header 20 minutes later. Had four shots but none on target. PA

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  Bruno Fernandes (On for Eriksen 46') 6: Lovely ball to Ronaldo within a minute of coming on but not his best game. AFP

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  Martinez (On for Dalot 46') 7: His outstretched leg stopped what could have been a goal just before the hour. Then, the ball hit his body and then his arm for a La Real penalty. Booked. Getty

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  Sancho (On for Antony 71') 5 Had a chance to connect with a Fred cross at the back post 10 minutes from time but couldn’t make contact with ball. AP

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  Alejandro Garnacho (On for Elanga 71') 6: Played on the right for his fourth appearance in United’s first team. Lively. Charlie McNeill (On for Malacia 85') N/A. Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the starting line-up but Real Sociedad still upset Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in their Europa League opener on Thursday.

After failing to secure a transfer to a Champions League club, the 37-year-old striker has had to settle for playing in Europe’s second-tier competition for the first time since 2002 with Sporting Lisbon.

Ronaldo had last started in the 4-0 humiliation against Brentford on August 13 before United chalked up four consecutive victories in the Premier League. United manager Erik ten Hag had used the Portugal star off the bench during the winning streak.

The veteran saw a first-half header from Diogo Dalot's cross disallowed for offside and headed Bruno Fernandes' cross wide at the start of the second-half.

Brais Mendez scored the only goal from the penalty spot after 59 minutes following a handball call against substitute Lisandro Martinez.

United play their second group game against Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova on Thursday, 15 September.

You can see the United player ratings from Old Trafford in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.