Manchester United laboured to a 1-nil victory over Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League Thursday night but fell short of their group’s top spot, setting themselves up for a longer route to glory in the competition they won five years ago.

The Red Devils needed at least two goals to knock off group leaders Sociedad but Alejandro Garnacho’s 17th minute strike was all they had to show for the night.

In fact, United have their goalkeeper David de Gea for keeping them in the game with his double save.

Garnacho’s goal is the teenager’s first senior team goal for The Red Devils and it was from an assist from his football idol Cristiano Ronaldo.

Manchester United launched several attempts to find the back of the net again in the second half but were faced with stiff resistance from the back line of the hosts.

The Red Devils won the game but it was not the result they hoped for.

Both teams are through to the knockout stage of the competition but United will now pass through the long round of 32 rounds, facing one of the teams that were demoted from the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad finished as Group E winner, are through to the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League.