Manchester United don't have the best record on Spanish soil and were hoping to avenge this at the Anoeta Stadium after beating the same opponents two weeks ago at Old Trafford. After an unbeaten Champions League campaign so far, David Moyes was hoping for a continuation of their recent good form. Sociedad were in confident mood themselves having just won 5-0 against Osasuna at the weekend. United's dominant performance at Fulham should have probably warranted a similar result rather than the final 3-1 scoreline.
With one eye on their home clash with Arsenal on Sunday David Moyes fielded a team that, whilst maybe not their strongest, still held plenty of potential. They weren't short of experience either as Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand started together in defence whilst Ryan Giggs made an astonishing 950th appearance. Shinji Kagawa, Marouane Fellaini and Javier Hernandez were also handed rare starts.
In a first half of little opportunities, United's best chance came just inside 10 minutes through Kagawa as he gave the ball to Evra on the left flank. The Frenchman crossed for Rooney, who cleverly laid the ball off for Kagawa but unfortunately for United his first-time shot rolled past the far post. The Japanese international had another chance less than ten minutes later after more good work from Rooney allowed him the opportunity to shoot from just outside the box. Although his effort was this time kept on target, it was hit straight at Bravo and forced nothing besides an easy catch for the Chilean.
United looked comfortable but were yet to put their mark on the match, unlike Fellaini who was given a yellow card for putting his on Bergara in a 50/50 challenge after half an hour. Shortly before half time Sociedad had their first real effort on goal through De la Bella. The left-back beat Valencia to allow himself space to shoot but couldn't keep his shot on target and it curled just past the far post.
The second half saw United create the game's biggest, and easiest, opportunity. Inside the opening five minutes Valencia crossed from the right for Kagawa, who picked the ball up and took on two players before crossing himself for Hernandez. The Mexican collected the ball from 6 yards out but could only blast an effort over the bar for a horror miss. It is not what you come to expect from the striker who is often the poacher of such opportunities.
United had a penalty appeal turned down after Kagawa was felled in the box by Gonzalez. Moyes then made two substitutions in an effort to enhance the quality of United's play. He opted to take Rooney off, possibly thinking of the upcoming Arsenal fixture, and replaced him with Van Persie. Hernandez also made way for Young after that awful second-half miss.
Kagawa, clearly enjoying being in his preferred position, then lofted a wonderful ball out to the right for Van Persie. He beat the defender easily to reach the byline but his cutback just missed Kagawa, who had made a darting run into the box to collect the return pass. Seconds later United's second penalty shout of the night was given by referee Nicola Rizzoli. Young made a good run into the box and passed to Kagawa who looked to complete a one-two and sent it back into the path of the England winger. There then appeared to be minimal contact from Bergara as Young went down claiming he had been pulled back. Although it seemed questionable, the referee gave the spot-kick and Van Persie stepped up to take it. However, he was thwarted once again by Bravo's left-hand post as his shot struck the upright and bounced away to safety. Sociedad will have felt that it was justice done, while United will have felt they should be ahead after a period of second-half dominance.
United's night went from bad to worse as Fellaini was then given a second yellow card and sent off in the 89th minute for a foul on Zurutuza. Both of his bookings looked harsh but seemed to be the result of persistent fouling by the Belgian.
The game finished 0-0 and although United should have taken at least one of their chances, they will be pleased to remain top of Group A and unbeaten in the competition. Their attention now turns to a much more significant game against Arsenal on Sunday where an expected changed starting eleven must take three points off the League leaders if they are to have any hope of challenging for back-to-back titles.
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