Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Live

Manchester United fail to seize Europa top spot; Arsenal sail

Needing victory by at least two goals, Red Devils only manage to beat Real Sociedad 1-0 and now face tricky playoff next Feb

- Agencies

LONDON: Manchester United failed to usurp Real Sociedad at the top of Europa League Group E despite a 1-0 victory in San Sebastian, even as Arsenal secured their place in the last 16 on Thursday.

United, who needed to win by at least two goals to top Group E, now face a tricky playoff against one of the sides dropping down to the Europa League from the Champions League in February, with Barcelona and Juventus potential opponents.

Alejandro Garnacho scored the only goal of the night at the Reale Arena after just 17 minutes to surpass George Best as United’s youngest ever non-English scorer in Europe at 18. The 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo released Garnacho on the left before the Argentine forward burst into the box to score high into the net past goalkeeper Alejandro Remiro. But the second goal didn’t come despite in-form striker Marcus Rashford coming on as a substitute.

However, the Red Devils were left to rue their defeat to the Spaniards at Old Trafford on matchday one as they missed out on topping the group on goal difference.

“You don’t always get what you deserve, that’s football,” said United manager Erik Ten Hag.“We win today but of course we are disappoint­ed we didn’t score two goals because that is what we needed.”

Arsenal did not make the same mistake as a 1-0 win over FC Zurich was enough to hold off PSV Eindhoven to win Group A. But Mikel Arteta’s men were made to work for the three points after Kieran Tierney’s early strike put them in front.

Arteta was forced to turn to his bench in the second half with Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey risked despite a trip to Chelsea on Sunday for the Premier League leaders.

And the Gunners had a close escape when Adrian Guerrero fired home for the Swiss champions only to be flagged offside.

Roma won their showdown with Ludogorets Razgrad to progress to the playoff round thanks to a second half fightback in the Italian capital.

The inaugural Europa Conference League winners were heading back to that competitio­n when the Bulgarians led 1-0 at half-time. But two Lorenzo Pellegrini penalties and a late goal from Nicolo Zaniolo took Jose Mourinho’s men through.

Feyenoord and Midtjyllan­d progressed from an incredibly tight Group F that saw all four sides end on eight points.

Arsenal and Sociedad will be joined by Fenerbahce, Real Betis, Union Saint-Gilloise, Feyenoord, Freiburg and Ferencvaro­s in progressin­g directly to the last 16.

‘Much better‘ Haaland set for return

LONDON: Pep Guardiola has revealed Erling Haaland is feeling “much better” as the Manchester City striker targets a return to action in Saturday’s Premier League encounter with Fulham.

Haaland has missed City’s past two games against Sevilla and Leicester due to a combinatio­n of a foot injury and illness. The prolific Norwegian resumed full training on Thursday and City boss Guardiola is hopeful his star forward will be fit for this weekend’s match at the Etihad Stadium. Haaland’s presence would be a big boost for the champions after he scored 22 goals in his first 15 competitiv­e appearance­s following his close-season signing from Borussia Dortmund.

“He’s much better. We will decide today (Friday),” Guardiola told reporters. “It is a good step, a start to training.”

TV timings: Manchester City vs Fulham (8.30pm), Everton vs Leicester City (11pm, both live on Star Sports Select 1)

 ?? AP ?? Alejandro Garnacho (left) celebrates with Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring Manchester United’s winner against Sociedad. At 18, Garnacho became United’s youngest non-English scorer in Europe.
AP Alejandro Garnacho (left) celebrates with Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring Manchester United’s winner against Sociedad. At 18, Garnacho became United’s youngest non-English scorer in Europe.

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