Prior to their 1-0 Europa League loss to Real Sociedad, Manchester United led English football in paying respect to Queen Elizabeth II, while Jose Mourinho, the manager of Roma, was in sadness after the monarch’s passing on Thursday.
After the Queen passed away at the age of 96 earlier in the day, players from United, West Ham, and Arsenal, the Premier League clubs competing in second- and third-tier competitions in Europe, all donned black armbands.
Both Old Trafford and the London Stadium had sombre moods, with United and West Ham both observing a minute of silence before to kickoff.
God Save the Queen was sung by West Ham supporters when they defeated FCSB of Romania 3-1 in the Europa Conference League.
After Arsenal’s Europa League match against FC Zurich got underway, news of the nation’s longest-reigning monarch’s passing broke. As a result, the Gunners observed a moment of silence before the second half of their 2-1 victory.
Former United, Chelsea and Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho paid a sombre tribute to the Queen after Roma’s 2-1 Europa League loss at Bulgarian side Ludogorets.
I’m very sorry. My family and I have been in England for a long time, Mourinho said to Sky Sport Italy.
I’m sorry, but I don’t believe anyone does not appreciate this wonderful woman.
The Manchester United players joined arms during the perfectly timed minute of silence, and Sociedad’s players did the same on the other side of the centre circle.
While Sociedad supporters raised their blue and white scarves in tribute during the minute of silence, several United supporters could be seen sobbing in the stands.
The digital advertising hoardings had been turned off and there had been no pre-match music, and the flags at Old Trafford were flown at half-staff as a sign of the club’s “utmost respect” for the Queen.
Manchester United released a statement saying, “Manchester United shares the sorrow of the entire nation following the announcement from Buckingham Palace on the passing of Her Majesty, the Queen.”
The club acknowledges her enormous contribution to public life, including sport, in the United Kingdom, throughout the Commonwealth, and globally.
“UEFA and European football are truly saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, one of the world’s most revered figures,” UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin continued.
“Our sympathies are with her family, Prince William, President of the English Football Association, and all the people of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth nations,” the statement reads.
Once the game began, the customary shouts in favour of United and against the club’s owners, the Glazer family, were audible, but the mood seemed more muted than normal.
After scoring on his debut against Arsenal on Sunday after joining United for £82 million from Ajax, Erik Ten Hag referred to Brazilian striker Antony as the “missing link” for the team.
But in a fragmented United performance, the 22-year-old found it difficult to have any influence.
Casemiro, a Brazilian midfielder, had his first start since joining United from Real Madrid, while Cristiano Ronaldo was making only his second start for the club this year.
Neither player could get United going, and Ronaldo’s header in the 35th minute was rightfully disallowed for offside.
In the 59th minute, Sociedad won when United defender Lisandro Martinez was controversially given a handball penalty.
After the ball bounced off Martinez’s leg and merely struck his arm, the verdict was upheld by VAR, and Brais Mendez drilled the penalty shot beyond David De Gea.
United lost for the third time under manager Ten Hag after winning four straight Premier League games.
Marquinhos, a 17-year-old Brazilian, scored on his Arsenal debut to help the league leaders bounce back from their season-opening loss to United the previous weekend.
Marquinhos, who Arsenal acquired in June from Sao Paulo, scored the opening goal in the 16th minute by converting a low cross from Eddie Nketiah.
Mirlind Kryeziu converted a penalty for Zurich right before halftime after Nketiah’s foul in the area.
Just after the hour mark, Nketiah made up for his earlier error by heading in a cross from Marquinhos to score the game-winning goal.
In other Europa League action, Bodo/Glimt and PSV Eindhoven drew 1-1 thanks to Cody Gakpo after Albert Gronbaek gave the Norwegian champions the lead.
Thanks to Matias Vecino’s double, Lazio defeated Feyenoord 4-2.