Real Sociedad vs Man Utd Europa League final score and result as United win but fail to top group - live

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag described match-winner Marcus Rashford as “a great player” who will get even better after his side’s 1-0 win against West Ham.

Rashford notched his 100th goal for United with a brilliant first-half header, which extended his side’s unbeaten run in all competitions to eight matches.

The rejuvenated striker is the first United player since Wayne Rooney in 2009 to reach the goalscoring landmark and when asked if he could become an elite player, Ten Hag said: “I think he is already.

“Before you’re 25, to score 100 goals, I think you’re already there, but he won’t be satisfied with that.

“In the end it’s about how many trophies you win with your club and I think he can develop his game even more.”

Permutations for tonight, then.

Real Sociedad are top and three points clear so they will obviously stay there with a win or draw.

United are already through as well, but finishing top means they avoid a play-off against a team dropping down from the Champions League.

So: a United win by one goal won’t be enough - La Real will be level on head-to-head but have a better group goal difference.

Two goals or more being the difference in a United win, however, will see them leapfrog their hosts on the night and take top spot.

Worth a quick recap on the group stage so far for these sides:

Real Sociedad beat United 1-0 in the opener and are so far a perfect five from five. Omonia Nicosia were dispatched before back-to-back wins over FC Sheriff, while finally Omonia were beaten on home soil too. La Real have conceded just once in the group.

United’s defeat in the opener has been followed by four straight wins, the biggest of which was 3-0 against Sheriff last time out.

Patrice Evra has sympathy with Cristiano Ronaldo’s frustrations at Manchester United but has praised the fairness of new boss Erik ten Hag and insisted the “right solution” between the pair will be found.

United are currently in Spain preparing for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Real Sociedad where top spot in Group E is up for grabs.

Ronaldo is set to lead the line again after doing the same in last weekend’s 1-0 win over West Ham but the 37-year-old has hit the headlines in recent months for issues off the pitch.

He was dropped from the squad to face Chelsea for refusing to come on and storming down the tunnel towards the end of the victory against Tottenham in October in the latest clash between the Portuguese great and his manager.

And the hosts’ confirmed line-up too:

Real Sociedad XI: Remiro, Gorosabel, Pacheco, Le Normand, Rico, Merino, Zubimendi, Brais Mendez, Marin, Carlos Fernandez, Sorloth

United’s team news is in and Cristiano Ronaldo starts - as do Donny van de Beek and Casemiro.

Man United XI: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Van de Beek, Garnacho, Ronaldo

Stormzy is launching a football programme with Adidas for young people of black heritage to enhance and protect diverse representation in the sports industry.

#Merky FC aims to affect change by addressing the lack of diversity off the pitch and providing access to multi-year, paid professional placements.

The collaboration also brings together 10 leading brands including Manchester United, Fulham and Sky Sports to form part of the careers programme, which will start in January 2023.

More details here:

Jude Bellingham is Man United’s top transfer target for the summer, according to the latest transfer rumours.

There’s also talk over a potential new contract for their in-form right-back Diogo Dalot.

All our latest Premier League transfer rumours round up:

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro says Erik ten Hag’s obsession for winning sets him apart from most other top-level managers.

United are beginning to show real progress under former Ajax boss Ten Hag and will bid to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine matches in Thursday’s final Europa League group tie against Real Sociedad.

Casemiro, key to United’s improved form since joining from Real Madrid for £70milion in August, played under Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane during 13 years at the Bernabeu.

The Brazilian said: “I’ve been in football for quite a while despite being only 30 and his (Ten Hag’s) obsession for winning is what surprised me the most.

“I think he’s got many strengths. We all know it’s a process and we are growing together and we all see that he wants to win.”

More from the midfielder:

Rio Ferdinand believes Cristiano Ronaldo’s relationship with Gary Neville is now ‘gone’ after the Portuguese star snubbed his former Manchester United team-mate by the side of the Old Trafford pitch.

Ahead of United’s clash with West Ham on Sunday - that they went on to win 1-0 - Ronaldo ignored Neville despite greeting fellow Sky Sports pundits Louis Saha and Jamie Redknapp as they stood next to the former right-back.

Neville has criticised the 37-year-old for storming down the tunnel and refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham last month, with the forward appearing to have taken that reprimand to heart.

And Ferdinand, who played alongside both men for the Red Devils, admits the friction between the pair is now unlikely to be resolved, aalthough he explains how he would’ve handled the situation differently.

“I don’t think Cristiano is taking that call (if Neville calls him),” Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel.