Manchester United were missing several key names but were good value for their 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad.
Missing both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand United tried out their sixth different centre back partnership of the season with Johnny Evans partnering Phil Jones at the heart of the defence. Robin van Persie was rested from the squad after recent niggles picked up on international duty and there was only a place on the bench for teenage sensation Adnan Januzaj as Shinji Kagawa and Ryan Giggs both started.
United had a dream start in fortunate circumstances. Rooney cut in from the left-hand side and beat a couple of players before hitting the post and in his rush to clear the ball Inigo Martinez put the ball into his own net with just over 70 seconds on the clock.
Rooney who turns 28 tomorrow looked lively early on and tested out Claudio Bravo in the Sociedad goal with a left footed volley and then fired a bicycle kick over the bar.
In the 20th minute a well worked corner routine involving Rooney and Giggs saw Javier Hernandez head Giggs cross into the net only to see it ruled out for offside.
Just as the game was settling into a rhythm Dutch referee Bas Nijhuis, a Butcher in his native land went card crazy and booked four players in quick succession.
Young french winger Antoine Griezmann had looked like Sociedads most dangerous player and was unlucky not to level the match just before half time when his free kick from 25 yards out hit the post with De Gea well beaten.
Sociedad started the second half with intensity and a searching cross by Griezmann nearly saw former Arsenal striker Carlos Vela latch onto it.
Manchester United had chances to get the second goal and Phil Jones had a header very well saved by Claudio Bravo. Both sides then hit the woodwork but Manchester United looked the better side as the half progressed and comfortably saw out the remainder of the second half to keep them top of Group A and they now look firm favourites to land a spot in the knockout stages.
Report by Andy L-T
@happyhibbee
