After domestic disappointment so far this season in the Premier League, Manchester United relished the opportunity to silence their critics with a continuation of their unbeaten start to the Champions League group stage. Real Sociedad were the visitors to Old Trafford, a Spanish side currently struggling themselves in La Liga but hoping to capitalise on United's poor home record of late.
The main surprise in United's line-up was the omission of Dutch striker Robin Van Persie who was presumably left out of the squad due to injury. Hernandez took his place up front whilst Shinji Kagawa earned a rare start, his fourth of the season.
United got off to the perfect start when some brilliance from Rooney forced a Sociedad own goal inside two minutes. Evra won the ball out on the left wing and gave it to the striker who then skipped into the box effortlessly as he beat three players with ease. His shot then had Bravo beaten all ends up but came back off his left post. Martinez somehow failed to clear the rebound and hit it straight into his own net to put the home side ahead. Whilst it may have been a stroke of luck for United, Rooney's effort certainly deserved a goal.
Rooney was involved again on 13 minutes as he got on to the end of a dangerous cross from Rafael after good work by the lively Valencia. United's number 10 sent a decent left-foot volley at Bravo but the Chilean keeper produced a good save to keep it out. United had all the momentum and began to play some brilliant one-touch football with Valencia, Kagawa and Rooney all looking dangerous on the attack. United thought they had their second before the 20 minute mark but Hernandez's header was rightly judged to be offside after wonderful work from Giggs.
The remainder of the half was a bit stop-start as referee Bas Nijhuis halted play several times to give out yellow cards to both sides. This allowed Sociedad to settle into the game more as it interrupted United's fluency and impetus. The Spanish side took advantage and finally tested De Gea just before the half hour mark. Giggs was dispossessed in midfield and gifted the ball to Seferovic who ran at Evans and unleashed a wicked shot from outside the area that took a deflection and was tipped over the bar by De Gea.
Jones had United's best chance before half time with a header from a Giggs corner that should have been on target. Instead it flew over Bravo's bar and it was the away side that ended the half strongest as a terrific free kick from Griezmann beat De Gea but bounced off the frame of the goal and was cleared to ensure United went into half time with a clean sheet.
United started the second half slowly which allowed Sociedad to attack more freely. Seferovic was involved once more in a move that saw the home team almost score an own goal themselves through a clearance by Evans. Luckily for United they managed to survive the pressure with Jones and Evans looking an assured pair at the heart of the defence. United soon began to create chances of their own as Jones this time sent a headed effort on target after a wonderful cross from Kagawa out on the left found him in space at the far post. Bravo was alert to the danger and made the save to keep the score at 1-0.
Valencia had two decent efforts in as many minutes after good link-up play with Rooney on both occasions. His first drilled attempt was saved by Bravo but the Chilean was beaten by his second and will have been thankful to see his right-hand post deny the Ecuadorian the goal he deserved after Rooney's cute through ball had gifted him the opportunity to shoot. Valencia was involved again on 65 minutes as he completed a quick United move with a perfect cross to Kagawa whose shot was blocked bravely by Martinez.
United spurned another chance when Rooney blazed his shot over the bar after a nice headed flick on from Valencia. Sociedad saw a free-kick go wide ten minutes from time but struggled to trouble United after their dominant ten minute period at the start of the second-half. United continued to create opportunities up until the final whistle as substitute Ashley Young almost got on the end of a Rooney cross after Kagawa did well in the air. However, Bravo anticipated the cross and denied the winger the chance for a tap-in.
United could have had 4 or 5 goals and probably should have but it was a good performance all round by Moyes' men and they will be content to have three points, a clean sheet and remain unbeaten in this competition. There were many encouraging aspects of the performance with Kagawa, Valencia and man-of-the-match Rooney all playing particularly well. With another home match against Stoke on Saturday and a possible return for Van Persie, they will be hoping for another three points; although perhaps with a more clinical scoreline.
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