The Europa League is an interesting competition. For Manchester United this season, while it may not be the pinnacle of European football, winning would be a huge boost given the trophy drought that has now extended to over five years. But it is also a competition treated by managers as an opportunity to rotate, giving game-time to some while offering rest for others - something especially prominent this term given increased fixture congestion.
Erik ten Hag opted to somewhat change his team as United took on Real Sociedad in their opening Group E match at Old Trafford. He made six alterations for the fixture: both centre-backs were changed as Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof stepped in, Casemiro and Fred replaced Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes, with Anthony Elanga and Cristiano Ronaldo replacing Jadon Sancho as Antony started again.
On paper, the side wasn't overly weakened - an indictment of United's improving levels of depth. At the end of the day, Ten Hag was able to bring arguably the greatest player ever in Ronaldo as well as a midfielder of Casemiro's world-class pedigree. It was hardly downgrading the outfit that beat Premier League leaders Arsenal last weekend.
While he opted to rotate, you didn't get a sense that Ten Hag wasn't taking things seriously.
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However, things didn't quite turn out as Ten Hag would have hoped. Despite the relative strength of the side, there was always going to be a risk that unsettlement could be caused by a number of changes being made. And it really felt that United struggled to establish any sort of rhythm. As a result, the game felt rather flat, adding to an already-subdued nature caused by the announcement that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had sadly passed away in the hours before kick-off.
There was some uncertainty as to whether the game would actually go ahead. But things progressed as planned, with an impeccably-observed minute's silence held prior to the match getting underway.
United never really found their groove from the outset. The alterations led to the fact that some players hadn't actually played together before, especially in the particular combination used by Ten Hag. Especially given the number of new additions in the summer, it is understandable that the entire squad aren't necessarily all on the same page yet. The level of cohesion was clearly inferior to that which had developed over the four matches prior - a spell during which Ten Hag named an unchanged XI.
One positive to come from the rotation opted for by Ten Hag was that he could make a judgement as to those who are more and less deserving of a regular place in the side, showing the value of chances to experiment. Given that United are expected to progress from their group, experimentation, especially to this relatively minor degree given the strength of the starting side regardless, can be forgiven. Ten Hag certainly learned a number of valuable lessons.
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Cristiano Ronaldo was given his first start since the 4-0 loss to Brentford, but he largely flattered to deceive and didn't necessarily take the opportunity to prove himself in Ten Hag's system. He did manage to pick up decent areas inside the penalty area at times, once finding the net with a header from a Diogo Dalot cross before being ruled offside. But, overall, he didn't provide very much.
There would be times that he dropped deep to at least try and comply with Ten Hag's demands to link play, but he was largely ineffective in doing so. Other recent attacking configurations, which in the four victories prior to United facing La Real involved Marcus Rashford centrally, have seen a greater flexibility offered among the front line - largely due to the greater dynamism and versatility offered by the chosen personnel.
Ten Hag needs more from his strikers than just a goal threat gained from offering a focal point, thus Ronaldo has to adapt his game sizably - something that he hasn't really had to do in his career to date. Right now, from a functionality standpoint, it is understandable why Rashford is the primary option through the middle of the attack.
It also mustn't be forgotten how highly Ten Hag values off-ball work from his attackers, again something that Ronaldo doesn't provide in abundance. It would have been expected that, as with the Brazilian national team, Fred would line up alongside Casemiro deeper in midfield. But that wasn't the case. Instead, Christian Eriksen remained the 'free eight' with Fred situated higher up the pitch than normal, just behind Ronaldo; the predominant reason for the decision seemed to be that Fred's high energy nature would compensate for Ronaldo's lack of pressing.
While it had its benefits off the ball, Fred's deployment in a more advanced role was a considerable issue in possession given that he lacked the technical acumen to operate efficiently in attacking areas. For example, where Fernandes would usually provide interchanges and offer a high volume of creation, Fred showed distinct unfamiliarity in the 'second striker' role.
It was no surprise that Fernandes was introduced at half-time, though he did replace Eriksen rather than Fred. Eriksen had done an excellent job again throughout the first half, compensating for the lack of creation offered by Fred, playing balls in behind and delivering crosses for Ronaldo. Nonetheless, it was understandable that Eriksen was withdrawn when you consider the amount of football that he has played so far this term; injury to him would be a disaster due to his consistently rising value to this team given his quality in possession.
Dalot was also withdrawn at the juncture after another strong period, though it was Lisandro Martinez that replaced him as Victor Lindelof switched to the right-back berth. Aaron Wan-Bissaka's diminishing status at the club is clear to see.
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Sociedad never seemed outstanding at any stage in proceedings despite United underwhelming in terms of their level. But, as a result of a phase during which they raised their game into the second half, they did take the lead, albeit courtesy of a penalty awarded after a contentious refereeing decision and subsequent VAR verification.
Martinez had a positive impact off the bench again, assured in possession and secure defensively when called upon - he made a crucial, goal-saving intervention immediately after being introduced before making another block. Though the second block wasn't viewed kindly be officials as a penalty was awarded, with Martinez penalised for a 'handball' (note the inverted commas) after the ball rebounded off his arm after the initial block.
It was a hugely controversial moment. Martinez blocked the shot in question with his knee - the defining action in preventing troubling ensuing from the on-target attempt. Only after that did the ball rebound up onto Martinez's arm, which was in a perfectly natural position for a player attempting a block. There was little that Martinez knew or could do - he wasn't even looking at the ball hence there was no way the adjudged offence could have been intentional. The fact that the Argentine was booked compounded the frustration towards the decision.
United wouldn't have won the game anyway - their performance wasn't good enough to warrant three points. But the decision probably did cost United a draw which, in the long run, could be significant against the side likely to be their biggest competition in Group E.
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Overall, it was a night to forget for United, though it isn't particularly a reflection on the genuine current state of things given the amount of changes. For Ten Hag, at least he will have learned more about his squad, including who does and doesn't warrant a more regular place, with some off the pace and others not up to standard.
Ten Hag will be hoping that momentum developed domestically won't be halted by such a result. And it will now be at least next week that United next play a league match due to the postponement of this weekend's fixtures, with an away trip to face Sheriff Tiraspol now next up.
United fans will be hoping that the lessons learned against Sociedad will prove more prominent than the actual result in the long run.
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