Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd: Fellaini sees red

Robin van Persie missed a penalty and Marouane Fellaini was sent off as Manchester United edged closer to a place in the Champions League knockout stages with a goalless draw against Real Sociedad.

Manchester Uniteds Marouane Fellaini is sent off after picking up his second booking. Picture: AFP/Getty

After a dismal first half, Javier Hernandez inexplicably failed to tap home Shinji Kagawa’s low cross from six yards before substitutes Van Persie and Ashley Young took centre stage.

Within minutes of their joint arrival, Young provided the cross which Van Persie belted against a post.

More contentious was the spot-kick awarded to the visitors when Young went down under Markel Bergara’s challenge. Although referee Nicola Rizzoli was certain, others were less so. Van Persie strode up to take the kick but his effort also bounced back off the woodwork before clipping goalkeeper Claudio Bravo on the way out and rolling to safety.

Fellaini was red-carded for the first time in his United career for a second yellow card as the visitors were forced to see out the contest with ten men.