The French defender, who is on loan at the Spanish top flight side until the end of the season, started at the Bernabeu, and saw his side take a fifth-minute lead through ex-Arsenal frontman Lucas Perez, who netted from the penalty spot.

And after the break, it was the former Magpies striker Joselu who scored what proved to be the winner, capitalising on a defensive error to roll home a second for his side, rendering Casemiro’s late strike a mere consolation.

Lejeune played the full 90 minutes at centre half – his ninth outing of the campaign – and played his part in keeping out Zinedine Zidane’s men late on as Alavés held on to take the points.

In the Championship, Freddie Woodman kept another clean sheet as Swansea City won 1-0 at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

That victory, which was sealed by Connor Roberts’ towering header, moved the Swans up to fourth in the second tier, with goalkeeper Woodman recording his seventh shut-out of the campaign so far.

And it was a good weekend for a trio of United loanees who saw their respective loan sides progress to the third round of the FA Cup.

Kell Watts continued his impressive start to life on loan at Plymouth Argyle with another 90-minute outing as they saw off Lincoln City 2-0 at Home Park, in a game notable for Ben Reeves’ fine volley which clinched the win for the hosts.

Jake Turner played his part as Morecambe beat Solihull Moors 4-2 after extra time to go through, though the goalkeeper was replaced by Mark Halstead at half time.

And Tranmere also made sure their name would be in the hat for Monday’s draw as they beat Brackley Town 1-0 on Friday night, though Jack Young missed out on a place in Keith Hill’s squad for that game.

Danish frontman Elias Sørensen, meanwhile, wasn’t involved as Almere City drew 2-2 away at Volendam in the Eerste Divisie, the Dutch second division.