On a night filled with emotion and sadness, Manchester United produced a flat and disjointed performance that is unlikely to last long in the memory of anyone who attended.
United entered their Europa League group stage opener against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford with a spring in their step. The win over Arsenal on Sunday marked a fourth win on the bounce and Sociedad were next on their hit list.
However, perhaps impacted by the announcement of the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II just 90 minutes before kick-off, United froze when they had the chance to build on their momentum. Brais Mendez's controversially-awarded penalty just short of the hour mark was enough to condemn United to their first defeat in five matches and inflict a rare Europa League home defeat.
READ MORE: United player ratings following Real Sociedad defeat
Although United had every right to complain about the awarding of the penalty, as the officials, despite the use of VAR being in operation, chose to ignore the fact the ball had hit substitute Lisandro Martinez's body before bouncing up onto his harm, the performance was flat. United were a far cry from the team that ended Arsenal's winning start to the season four days earlier.
But considering Erik ten Hag, in an attempt to mix things up and award minutes to those who have not been so fortunate recently, made six changes, it was always a decision that carried a degree of risk. It upset United's recent rhythm, with none of the sextet that came into the side doing enough to leave their calling card.
Casemiro, awarded his first start since arriving from Real Madrid last month, proved why Scott McTominay has kept his place in the last three league games, while Cristiano Ronaldo's most notable contribution was heading in Diogo Dalot cross that was immediately greeted by the linesman's flag. But while those who did earn an opportunity to impress faltered, the man who most people expected to be given a rest continued to impress.
Christian Eriksen, just as he did against Arsenal, shone like a beacon in midfield. Ten Hag surprised everyone by starting Fred in the more advanced advanced role, leaving Eriksen to thrive in his free-roaming No.8 berth as he's being doing.
While Fred faltered and struggled to adapt to life in a very unfamiliar position, Eriksen proved, yet again, why Ten Hag was so intent on adding him to his squad. After he was taken off at half-time, United's chances dried up. He was the architect of most things they created in the first 45 minutes and they sorely missed him when he was subbed off, presumably a pre-planned decision.
Considering United signed him, in the eyes of almost everyone, to compete with Fernandes for the attacking-midfield berth, the fact Ten Hag chose to keep him in a more reserved role spoke volumes about how he wants him to make the No.8 berth his own. The decision to deploy Fred in the advanced-midfield role backfired somewhat, but the refusal to alter Eriksen's role was telling.
Ten Hag views the Danish international as the ball-playing midfielder that he wanted in Frenkie de Jong. Everything United have mustered up in their last two outings has been as a result of the former Brentford man's ability to get on the ball and orchestrate the play.
He was a class above his midfield compatriots against Sociedad and it is clear that he is now one of the very first names on Ten Hag's teamsheet. United, in the second half, looked a little lost without Eriksen as their conductor.
Their chances dried up and they didn't have the control they had experienced in the first-half. It is clear, therefore, that United have the ability to craft Ten Hag's vision and philosophy around Eriksen and his quality.
United might have spent millions on the likes of Martinez, Casemiro and Antony during the summer, but it is the addition of Eriksen, snapped up on a free transfer, that is proving their best piece of business so far.
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