Real Sociedad will entertain Manchester United at the Allianz Stadium on Thursday night as the teams look set to resume their UEFA Europa League campaign. After two successive draws in the league, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be aiming for nothing less than a victory to lift his team’s morale. On the other hand, the Ryals will come into the game on the back of an impressive 1-0 win over Getafe FC last week.
Let’s take a look at how things are shaping up ahead of the midweek clash.
Team News
There has been little to no good news on the injury front for the visitors as they have been left sweating over the fitness of Scott McTominay and forward Anthony Martial. Furthermore, Donny van de Beek and Edinson Cavani have been ruled out of the tie as they have sustained muscular injuries.
Paul Pogba remains sidelined with a thigh injury.
“Paul is recovering well,” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stated. “He’s starting the treatment, but it will still be a few weeks. He won’t be playing in February, that’s for sure; it’s still a few weeks before we see Paul definitely.
“Apart from that, we have a couple of doubtful ones, if they’ll be fit enough – Anthony and Scott.
“Donny and Edinson are injured, unfortunately, muscle injuries, so they won’t travel.” – The Norwegian coach signed off.
Flipping over to the hosts, there has been some positive news for them as Nacho Monreal, Adnan Januzaj, David Silva, and Mikel Merino are all available for the clash.
Winger Mikel Oyarzabal returned to feature against Getafe FC last week and should be involved against Manchester United.
Talking Tactics And Key Men
Real Sociedad form (all competitions): D-L-D-W-W
Manchester United form (all competitions): D-W-D-W-D
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will stick to his routine plan of setting up counter-attacks to break down the opposition defence. The prodigious pace of Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood on the wings might work wonders for the visitors.
As usual, United will be heavily dependent on Bruno Fernandes to carry most of the creative and goal-scoring burdens; however, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof will have to put up a dominant performance at the back if the away side wishes to pick up a positive result.
With the return of Oyarzabal, Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil will be hoping to exploit United’s defensive weaknesses, but given the number of goals they have shipped in the campaign so far (4), it will not be surprising if they opt for a more defensive approach.
Predicted Line-ups
Real Sociedad possible starting XI:
Remiro; Gorosabel, Le Normand, Elustondo, Monreal; Zubeldia, Merino, Silva; Januzaj, Isak, Oyarzabal
Manchester United possible starting XI:
Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw; Fred, McTominay; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial
Our Prediction
Real Sociedad 1-2 Manchester United.
