Europa League round-up: Man Utd lose, Arsenal win, Roma slip up and Lazio edge cracker

Manchester United started their Europa League campaign in a disappointing manner, as they lost 1-0 to Real Sociedad on Thursday.

The Red Devils were beaten by a second-half penalty from Brais Mendez, which was controversially awarded after Lisandro Martinez was deemed to have handled the ball inside the area.

The game was also preceded by a minute’s silence at Old Trafford, to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

The biggest margin of victory in Thursday’s opening round of Europa League fixtures also came in United’s group, with Sheriff Tiraspol beating Omonia Nicosia 3-0 in Cyprus.

Elsewhere, Arsenal came away with a hard-earned 2-1 win in Switzerland as they beat Zurich, while the other result in Group A saw PSV Eindhoven draw 1-1 with Bodo/Glimt.

The shock of the opening round was perhaps Ludogorets beating Roma 1-0 in Group C, while the game of the night involved the other side from the Italian capital, as Lazio beat Feyenoord 4-2

The next round of group games are staged to be held next Thursday, although there has been a suggestion that the English sides may not be involved due to the passing of The Queen.

However, ManchesterWorld have been told this is unlikely, with Uefa not planning to postpone any games at this stage.

Results in full

Group A- PSV Eindhoven 1-1 Bodø/Glimt, Zurich 1-2 Arsenal

Group B- Larnaca 1-2 Rennes, Fenerbahce 2-1 Dynamo Kiev

Group C- Helsinki 0-2 Real Betis, Ludogorets 2-1 Roma

Group D- Union Berlin 0-1 Union Saint-Gilloise, Malmo 0-2 Braga

Group E- Manchester United 0-1 Real Sociedad, Omonia Nicosia 0-3 Sheriff Tiraspol

Group F- Lazio 4-2 Feyenoord, Sturm Graz 1-0 Midtjylland

Group G- Nantes 2-1 Olympiakos, Freiburg 2-1 Qarabag

Group H- Red Star Belgrade 0-1 Monaco, Ferencvarosi 3-2 Trabzonspor