An own goal from Inigo Martinez was enough to give Manchester United the victory over Real Sociedad on on matchday three of this season's Champions League.

After just two minutes, Martinez inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net after Wayne Rooney's shot came back off the post and into his path.

United could, and should, have wrapped up the points on several occasions, but they lacked a cutting edge in front of goal with Robin van Persie missing from the squad with toe and groin injuries.

Sociedad had chances themselves to come away with a share of the spoils. However United saw the game out and top Group A, one point ahead of Bayer Leverkusen.

Despite Old Trafford experimenting with an all-singing section, the players struggled to raise their game in front of goal.

But they got off to the perfect start when Martinez steered the ball into the back of his own net after Rooney's shot hit the post.

Shortly after, with United dominating possession, there were appeals for a penalty after Shinji Kagawa delivered a ball in from the left which found Javier Hernandez lurking in front of goal. The striker tumbled to the ground, but referee Bas Nijhuis ignored United's pleas.

But La Real hadn't come to lie down as Markel Bergara dispossessed Kagawa, his low shot deflecting out harmlessly for a corner which came to nothing after a poor delivery from Antoine Griezmann.

Moments later the home side thought they had doubled their lead after an excellent corner routine released Ryan Giggs into the box. The Welshman clipped the ball into Hernandez to head home, but the Mexican was correctly flagged offside.

With chances at a premium for the visitors they were keen to test the United back line at any available opportunity and came close to levelling things up midway through the half.

Haris Seferovic broke through with Johnny Evans and Phil Jones back for United, but the striker wriggled away and crashed in a deflected effort which was well saved by David de Gea.

The Spanish side again tested United's resolve shortly after when Griezmann's forward pass fell into the path of Carlos Vela, but Rafael did well to stay with the former Arsenal man and extinguish any danger.

Griezmann then had the chance himself to level things up just before the break with a free-kick from just outside the penalty area. The Frenchman stepped up and smashed his effort off the post, reminding the home side that they hadn't come to just make up the numbers.

Sociedad, who currently sit 12th in La Liga, started the second half just as they had the first and again had the chance to level things up when Griezmann's early ball into the box just failed to reach Seferovic.

Sociedad's best chance to score looked to be from set-pieces. And it was Griezmann who had a number of chances from dead ball situations, but he was narrowly wide on each occasion.

Despite spurning several opportunities, United only won by a single goal. But unlike last Saturday when they conceded a late equaliser against Southampton in the league, David Moyes's side walked away with all three points and more importantly a much needed win.