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Man United cancel all post-match press conferences following the death of Queen Elizabeth II… as Erik ten Hag’s side suffers a 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad in the Europa League
- Manchester United held no press conferences after the 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad
- Kick-off occurred shortly after the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday
- Boss Erik ten Hag did not speak after the match to any of UEFA’s rights holders
- Premier League clubs are expecting this weekend’s matches to be called off
- Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing
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Manchester United cancelled all post-match press conferences following their 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad, after Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died in Balmoral aged 96 on Thursday.
The Red Devils’ Europa League campaign started with defeat, as Brais Mendez’ 59th minute penalty helped the visitors edge out the closely-fought contest.
Following Buckingham Palace’s announcement at 6:30pm, Old Trafford fell silent in remembrance of the Queen ahead of kick-off.
Erik ten Hag did not speak to the media after Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad
Their Europa League clash occurred after Queen Elizabeth II was announced dead on Thursday
Manchester United opted for a media blackout after the match, and manager Erik ten Hag did not attend any post-match press conference, speak to UEFA’s rights holders or converse with MUTV.
In much the same vein, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta did not speak to the press following his side’s 2-1 Europa League triumph in Zurich.
Ahead of kick-off, Manchester United released a statement which read: ‘Following direction from the FA and UEFA, tonight’s UEFA Europa League fixture against Real Sociedad will take place as planned at Old Trafford.
‘A minute’s silence will be held before kick-off which will allow the teams, match officials and everyone in attendance to pay their respects to Her Majesty, The Queen.
Old Trafford fell silent as both sides performed a poignant minute’s silence ahead of kick-off
Brais Mendez’s 59th minute penalty handed visitors Real Sociedad a winning start in Group E
‘Both teams will wear black armbands and the flags at Old Trafford will fly at half-mast as a sign of our utmost respect.’
Sportsmail reported on Thursday evening that Premier League clubs anticipate all fixtures to be called off this weekend, with an announcement expected to be made on Friday morning.
All of Friday’s sporting programme was postponed or cancelled on Thursday night as a mark of respect, including day two of England’s Test match against South Africa, the BMW PGA golf Championship at Wentworth and all racing fixtures.
Friday’s EFL matches between Burnley and Norwich in the Championship and Tranmere and Stockport in League Two have also been called off.