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Real Sociedad Vs Man United Preview, Prediction, Team News And Confirmed Lineups

Ben Horlock Written by Sports EditorBen Horlock
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Ahead of Thursday’s Europa League R16 first-leg clash, we have the Real Sociedad vs Man United preview, prediction, team news and confirmed lineups.

Real Sociedad Vs Man United Preview

Sociedad Ready To Topple United?

Real Sociedad finished 13th in the 36-team Europa League new-look format and needed to beat Danish side Midtjylland in the playoffs to secure safe passage to the R16.

The La Liga club won the first-leg 2-1 at the MCH Arena. Goals from Brais Mendez and Takefusa Kubo gave the Spaniards a comfortable lead before Adam Buksa pulled one back for the Danes.

In the return fixture, the White and Blues slayed their opponents 5-2 at the Reale Arena. Mendez, Luka Sucic (2), Mikel Oyarzabal and Orri Oskarsson all netted in a 5-2 romp.

That 7-3 aggregate win means Imanol Alguacil’s side will now face Premier League opposition for a chance to progress to the quarter-final stage.

Interestingly, The Royal have met Thursday’s opponents on six different occasions in Europe. Twice in the Champions League and four times in the Europa League. As it stands, they have just one victory to their name.

Red Devils And Amorim In Last-Chance Saloon

Man United have just one more chance to lift silverware this season so they can’t afford any more slip ups. Their disastrous 2024/25 campaign hit a new low when they suffered an FA Cup fifth round exit to Fulham on Sunday.

Joshua Zirkzee missed the crucial spot-kick which saw the Cottagers progress to the quarter-final on penalties. Boss Ruben Amorim is only in his fourth month of the job but the pressure is already seriously mounting.

It would be minor miracle if the Red Devils could progress all the way through to the Europa League final this season. Something of which might be the only thing that saves Amorim’s bacon.

Therefore, a positive result in Spain is absolutely vital. The fans are restless, players seem disinterested and the Reds are languishing in 14th position in England’s elite. Europe really is the club’s only hope this season.

According to the best football betting sites in the UK, Real Socidedad are the 23/20 favourites. Man United can be backed at 31/11 with the draw 12/5.

Real Sociedad Vs Man United Team News

Highly-rated midfielder Martin Zubimendi misses out on the Real Sociedad starting XI. The Spanish star is reportedly set to sign for Arsenal in the summer.

He missed the second leg in Denmark owing to suspension alongside Jon Aramburu, with the Venezuelan right-back also missing out.

On the injury front, Jon Pacheco, Arsen Zakharyan and Alvaro Odriozola will all miss out for Sociedad. Up top, manager Imanol Alguacil has to decide between Mikel Oyarzabal and Orri Oskarsson.

Meanwhile, Man United will have a number of absentees for their trip to Spain. Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Altay Bayindir, Jonny Evans and Toby Collyer are all out.

England centre-back Harry Maguire is a doubt which means Noussair Mazaroui starts alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro.

In attack, boss Ruben Amorim sticks with Joshua Zirkzee despite his crucial penalty miss on Sunday. Chido Obi-Martin impressed against Fulham but hasn’t been registered into United’s Europa League squad.

Real Sociedad Vs Man United ConfirmedLineups

Real Sociedad (4-3-3): Remiro;Elustondo, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz; Sucic,Turrientes, Mendez; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea

Man United (3-4-2-1): Onana; Mazraoui De Ligt, Yoro; Dalot, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu; Garnacho, Zirkzee; Hojlund

Real Sociedad Vs Man United Prediction

Although Real Sociedad have lost their last two games in all competitions, we are predicting the La Liga side to heap more misery on Man United boss Ruben Amorim.

Those defeats came against Barcelona and Real Madrid which can be excused. The Red Devils know they have to make a real go of it but ultimately, we can’t see the Spaniards not coming away with a positive result.

Prediction: Real Sociedad 2-1 Man United

Ben Horlock Written by Sports EditorBen Horlock
Ben Horlock is a sports news and features writer who holds a degree in sports journalism (BA Hons) from Southampton Solent University. Ben has been published across a wide variety of news outlets and websites including HITC, 90min, GiveMeSport, Betfair and Zoo Magazine. As well, Ben has worked in social media for four years in the sports gambling industry. For his sins, Ben is a QPR fan and is a keen follower of all the major European football leagues.
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