United travel to the city of San Sebastien in Northern Spain, for a critical first-leg Europa League tie against Real Sociedad.
Having exited the FA Cup on penalties at the weekend, this is United’s last chance of silverware, and – perhaps even more importantly – our route back into Europe next season as the Europa League winners go straight to the Champions League.
Forget Arsenal at the weekend, City and Chelsea in the coming months – THIS is the big one.
United Team News
United travel to Spain without several key players. Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte are the latest additions to our injury list after both missed training and didn’t travel with the squad. Amorim described these as “small things” but clearly doesn’t want to risk losing more players long-term.
We’re already without Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, and Lisandro Martinez, while 17-year-old striker Chido Obi is ineligible as he wasn’t registered for the Europa League. Patrick Dorgu is available despite serving a domestic suspension, and Toby Collyer has returned to training after his muscle injury.
worrying Recent Form
Both results and performances have been pretty shocking recently.
United limped to a last-16 FA Cup exit at the weekend to Fulham, which came on the back of a comeback 3-2 win against lowly Ipswich.
Before that was a draw away at Everton, defeat to Spurs, a lucky 2-1 FA Cup victory over Leicester and 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace. Not great.
The biggest issue United have is up front; we’re just not scoring goals. It’s now March – the last time both of our strikers Zirkzee or Hojlund scored was the first week in December!
OPPOSITION PREVIEW: REAL SOCIEDAD
Current Form
Real Sociedad enter tonight’s Europa League last-16 first-leg tie in mixed form. Their recent results have been inconsistent, with two wins and three losses in their last five matches. La Real were comprehensively beaten 4-0 by Barcelona in their most recent outing, and they also suffered a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey. Their Europa League form has been better, however, with an impressive 5-2 victory over Midtjylland in their last European fixture.
Currently sitting 13th in La Liga with just 20 goals scored this season, Real Sociedad have struggled for consistency domestically. Their league position contrasts sharply with United’s European group stage placing of 3rd, though both teams have had their challenges this season.
Tactical Setup
Real Sociedad typically operate with a structured defensive approach, having conceded fewer goals (12) than United (9) in European competition. Their possession stats (52% compared to United’s 56%) suggest they’re comfortable both with and without the ball, making them adaptable opponents.
The Spanish side has shown they can be clinical in Europe, as evidenced by their five-goal haul against Midtjylland. They’ll likely look to exploit United’s recent defensive frailties, particularly with our injury concerns at the back.
Team News
La Real will have a relatively fresh squad compared to United’s injury-depleted team. This gives them a significant advantage heading into tonight’s fixture at the Reale Arena.
Predicted Lineup
Onana;
Yoro, De Ligt, Mazraoui;
Dalot, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu;
Garnacho, Hojlund, Zirkzee.
Form Guide
Manchester United form (all competitions): WLDWL
Real Sociedad form (all competitions): LWWLL
Prediction
United are down to the bare bones of a starting XI with two mis-firing strikers.
Changes forced by injuries week to week aren’t helping, and Real Sociedad are a good team that was narrowly knocked out of the Copa Del Rey semi-final by Real Madrid.
For United to progress past this round, it may well have to be a case of performing next week at Old Trafford, as today might just be a step too far for Amorim’s Reds
Real Sociedad 2-1 Manchester United