Manchester United on Thursday led English soccer’s tributes to Queen Elizabeth II before their 1-0 defeat against Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League, while AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho was in mourning after the monarch’s death.
Manchester United, West Ham United and Arsenal players — the English Premier League teams in action in Europe’s second and third-tier tournaments — all wore black armbands after the queen died aged 96 earlier in the day.
There were sombre atmospheres at Old Trafford and the London Stadium, with Manchester United and West Ham both holding a minute’s silence prior to kickoff.
Photo: AFP
West Ham fans sang God Save the Queen during their 3-1 win against Romanian side FCSB in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
The death of the UK’s longest-reigning monarch was announced after Arsenal had already kicked off at Zurich, so the Gunners had a minute’s silence before the start of the second half of their 2-1 Europa League win.
Former Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Mourinho paid a sombre tribute to the queen after Roma’s 2-1 Europa League loss at Bulgarian side Ludogorets.
Photo: Reuters
“I’m so sorry. I have lived in England for many years, my family is there,” Mourinho told Sky Sport Italy.
“I don’t think there’s anyone who doesn’t appreciate this great woman, I’m sorry,” he said.
During an immaculately observed minute’s silence at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s players linked arms, while Sociedad did the same on the other side of the center circle.
Several United fans were seen crying in the stands, while Sociedad’s fans held their blue and white scarves aloft in tribute during the minute’s silence.
There had been no pre-match music and the digital advertising hoardings were switched off, while flags at Old Trafford were at half-mast as a sign of the club’s “utmost respect” for the queen.
“Manchester United shares the sorrow of the entire nation following the announcement from Buckingham Palace on the passing of Her Majesty, the Queen,” a club statement said.
“The club recognises her immense contribution to public life, including sport, both here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth, and around the world,” the statement said.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement: “UEFA and European football are truly saddened by the passing away of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, one of the world’s most-respected figures.”
“Our thoughts are with her family and the President of the English Football Association Prince William, as well as with the citizens of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth realms,” the statement said.
The usual chants in support of Manchester United and against the club’s owners the Glazer family were heard once the game started, but the atmosphere felt more subdued than usual.
Erik ten Hag described Brazil forward Antony as Manchester United’s “missing link” after the he scored on his debut against Arsenal on Sunday following his ￡82 million (US$95 million) move from Ajax, but the 22-year-old struggled to make any impact during a disjointed performance.
Foreward Cristiano Ronaldo was making only his second start of the season, while Brazilian midfielder Casemiro was given his first start since arriving from Real Madrid.
Neither player could spark Manchester United, who had a 35th-minute headed goal from Ronaldo correctly disallowed for offside.
Sociedad clinched their victory in the 59th minute when Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was controversially penalized for handball.
The ball only hit Martinez’s arm after bouncing off his knee, but following a video assistant referee review the decision was confirmed and Brais Mendez stroked the spot-kick past Manchester Uinted David de Gea.
After winning four successive Premier League games, Manchester United were beaten for the third time in Ten Hag’s reign.
Brazilian teenager Marquinhos scored on his Arsenal debut as the Premier League leaders recovered from their first defeat of the season at Manchester United on Sunday.
Marquinhos, who was signed from Sao Paulo in June, finished first-time from a low Eddie Nketiah cross in the 16th minute to put Arsenal ahead.
Zurich equalized just before halftime when Mirlind Kryeziu converted from the penalty spot after a foul in the penalty area by Nketiah.
Nketiah made amends by scoring the winning goal just after the hour mark, heading in from a Marquinhos cross.
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