Real Sociedad v Manchester United: Line-ups, stats and preview

Preview for Real Sociedad v Manchester United

Manchester United head to San Sebastián knowing the Europa League is their last chance of silverware this season.

It has been another miserable campaign for United, who have struggled on the pitch and hit the headlines off it with new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe forcing through a series of unpopular cost-cutting measures.

The latest chapter came on Sunday when Ruben Amorim’s side went out of the FA Cup after losing to Fulham on a penalty shoot-out at Old Trafford after a 1-1 draw – Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee the men to miss.

Winning the Europa League would be huge for the club both from a footballing and financial perspective.

It would provide a platform for Amorim to start his squad rebuild, enhanced by claiming a place in next season’s Champions League, and also hand United increased revenue streams amid the worry of PSR sanctions.

The problem they have is Europe’s second tier competition is still stacked with good teams such as Athletic Bilbao, Roma, Tottenham and Lyon.

Real Sociedad also belong in that category and the two legs against the Spanish side ought to be close.

They have slipped to ninth in La Liga after an inconsistent run of form but present a formidable challenge on their day, as evidenced by claiming four points from two home games against Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

🇪🇺 We will see each other on the Real Arena on Thursday.#UEL pic.twitter.com/pijTUVduMa

– Real Sociedad Soccer (@realsociedad) March 4, 2025

Team News for Real Sociedad v Manchester United

United remain ravaged with injury worries.

The latest two players to be struck down are Manuel Ugarte and Harry Maguire with both set to miss the game tomorrow night after sustaining injuries against Fulham.

Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Amad Diallo are all out while young striker Chido Obi is ineligible.

The good news is Patrick Dorgu is available despite serving a domestic suspension while midfielder Toby Collier has returned to training and could feature.

Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi should be fit despite coming off at half-time in the weekend defeat to Barcelona due to a hamstring problem.

Sheraldo Becker and Takefuso Kubo are eligible despite being suspended domestically.

Expected lineups for Real Sociedad v Manchester United

Real Sociedad: Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz; Sucic, zubimendi, centuries; Cubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea

United Manchester: Onana; Of the Ligt, Yoro, Mazraoui; Dalot, Dorgu; Casemiro, Eriksen; Fernandes, Garden, Hojlund

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