Manchester United vs Real Sociedad Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | Europa League

Manchester United vs Real Sociedad Preview

• Tournament: Europa League
• Date: Thursday, Mar 13
• Kick-off Time: 08:00 pm GMT
• Venue: Old Trafford, England

English giants Manchester United will play host to Spanish club Real Sociedad in their second-leg Round-of-16 tie of the 2024/25 Europa League season at Old Trafford. United will be looking to secure a spot in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Hosts Man United are undergoing a turbulent run in the Premier League but have made a consistent start to their Europa League campaign. They held a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad in the reverse fixture and are favourties for this tie. In their last five games, Man United have made 62 shots, 1,754 passes and maintained a 49.7% possession. Bruno Fernandes is the leading goalscorer with 12 goals whereas the Portuguese midfielder also leads the assists chart with 13 to his name.

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad has endured a mixed start to their Europa League campaign and lost their most recent home fixture to Sevilla. Imanol Alguacil’s men will be optimistic about their chances on their travels. Takefusa Kubo is the leading goalscorer with five goals whereas Sergio Gómez leads the assists board with four to his name.

Manchester United Team News

The home side would be without the services of Lisandro Martinez (knee), Amad Diallo (ankle), Kobbie Mainoo (calf), Luke Shaw (hamstring), Jonny Evans (muscle), Mason Mount, Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton (all unspecified) in this home tie. Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte have also sustained recent knocks and will be out.

Real Sociedad Team News

As for the visitors, they would be without the services of several players including Jon Pacheco, Alvaro Odriozola and Arsen Zakharyan. Midfielder Martin Zubimendi missed the reverse fixture due to illness and could sit this out too.

Manchester United vs Real Sociedad Predicted Lineups

Manchester United Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1):

Goalkeeper: Onana

Defenders: De Ligt, Lindelof, Yoro

Midfielders: Dalot, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu

Forwards: Garnacho, Hojlund, Zirkzee

Real Sociedad Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Remiro

Defenders: Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz

Midfielders: Sucic, Zubimendi, Mendez

Forwards: Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea

Manchester United vs Real Sociedad Head-to-Head Record

The two sides have faced each other seven times on the European stage. Manchester United have recorded three wins, Real Sociedad managed one, whereas three games ended in a draw.

Key Players to Watch in Manchester United vs Real Sociedad

Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is one of the players thriving under Ruben Amorim's setup and scored a stunning free-kick against Arsenal last week. He has made 25 goal contributions this season and had an xG of 0.56 in his past five games.

Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad)

Takefusa Kubo has established himself as one of the key players for Real Sociedad and has continued his strong run of form in recent weeks. He has bagged two goals and two assists in the Europa League and accumulated an xG of 0.49 in his last five games.

Manchester United vs Real Sociedad Prediction

The English giants are the favourites for this tie due to their dominant record against the visitors in earlier meetings. The Red Devils had a disappointing start to their Premier League campaign and are coming off a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in their latest domestic game. Ruben Amorim’s men have been more consistent in the Europa League and are yet to sustain a defeat in the competition.

As for Real Sociedad, they have been a mid-performing side on both domestic and European fronts. The Spanish sustained a 1-0 defeat to Sevilla in the last game and are winless in their last three games across all competitions.

Predicted Score: Manchester United 2-0 Real Sociedad

Where to Watch Manchester United vs Real Sociedad Live?