Two Manchester United decisions backfire in Real Sociedad defeat

Lisandro Martinez's back was turned, his arms taut and the ball deflected onto his hand. Penalty, but surely one that had to be overturned. Inexplicably, the continental VAR system upheld a call as egregious as some in the Premier League last week.

Manchester United were humdrum and their marquee names ineffectual against La Liga's ninth-placed team. There was more than half-an-hour left on the clock to avoid defeat after Brais Mendez's conversion and Erik ten Hag's tinkering of roles was counter-productive.

The half-time withdrawals of Christian Eriksen, the standout player of the first-half, and Diogo Dalot were strategic but also complacent. United halted their momentum as much as the Italian referee who was inexplicably backed by his compatriot on the VAR. Boos returned at full-time, for the players as much as the errant official.

Read more: United player ratings vs Real Sociedad

Football's bureaucrats have to be mindful of their meddling in the game. Nobody is on the same page; handball is defined differently in the Premier League and Uefa competitions. The game is the same but the rules are different.

United did not conduct a post-match press conference in light of the news from Balmoral at 6.30pm that the Queen had died. Uninspiring though the Europa League may be, the final score should be rendered moot by United's next four fixtures against opposition from FC Sheriff of Moldova and Cypriot side Omonia.

But some of Ten Hag's decisions were baffling and warrant answers. He cannot use the pathetic penalty call to mask United's disjointed performance when they had entered the game on a four-game winning run. The six changes did not appear to be reckless rotation when United had invested £398.73million in the