Manchester United open up their 2022-23 UEL campaign this Thursday with a crunch clash with Real Sociedad at Old Trafford.
Venue: Old Trafford (Manchester)
Key Statistics
Manchester United are playing in their third UEFA Europa League campaign in five seasons.
The hosts hold a mixed UEL record against Spanish sides (W4, D2, L4).
Manchester United have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine home games.
Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be appearing in the UCL for the first time since 2002/03.
Real Sociedad have won their last three competitive away games.
They have kept two clean sheets in their two away games of the season.
The visitors have won just one of their last seven UEL away games (D5, L1).
Head to head
Manchester United and Real Sociedad have met four times in the past with the Red Devils never losing against the La Liga side (W2, D2).
Latest performances in all competitions
Manchester United: W-W-W-W-L
Real Sociedad: D-W-L-W-L
Manchester United
Manchester United will look to make it five wins in five games when they welcome Real Sociedad to Old Trafford this Thursday.
The Red Devils have turned their season around after their loss start which included back-to-back losses to Brighton and Brentford.
They have since strung together four wins in four games to move into the Premier League top five, three points off leaders Arsenal who tasted a dose of their resurgent venom early this week.
Eric Ten Hags’ men came into the game against Arsenal as underdogs but performed incredibly well to stun the Gunners and the Dutch coach will be expected to repeat his recent success at home on the international front when they take on Real Sociedad.
With the mood at Old Trafford at an all-time high save for some disgruntled players, Manchester United will consider themselves capable of taking all three points against a side they hammered 4-0 on aggregate the last time both sides met in the Europa League. They are yet to taste defeat at the hands of a Spanish team in their last four encounters.
Possible Manchester United starting line-up
David de Gea; Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia; Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay, Jadon Sancho; Marcus Rashford; Cristiano Ronaldo.
Injured: Victor Lindelof, Brandon Williams, Anthony Martial
Doubtful: Aaron Wa-Bissaka, Donny van de Beek
Suspended: None
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad come up against their direct rivals for the top spot in Group E of the Europa League.
Alguacil Imanol and his boys have not had the best of starts to the La Liga season winning just two out of the five games they have played so far and come into this game off the back of a spirited 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid last weekend.
The Spanish coach would have been left irked after Real Sociedad lost their star Striker to the Premier League’s pulling might, with Saudi-owned Newcastle United stumping out a club-record fee to sign the Swedish star. With the Swedish striker off the books at Anoeta, much will be expected of new signing Umar Sadiq who came off the bench to score the equaliser against Diego Simeone’s men.
Real Sociedad worked hard to secure a spot in the European Competition but will face a stern test to qualify for the knockout rounds, but a win over a resurgent Manchester United at Old Trafford may serve as a morale booster and will surely set them on the right path as they set out for their campaign in the UEL.
Possible Real Sociedad starting line-up
Alex Remiro; Andoni Gorosabel, Igor Zubeldia, Aritz Elustondo, Aihen Munoz; Mikel Merino, Martín Zubimendi, Brais Mendez; David Silva, Alexander Sorloth, Mohamed Ali Cho.
Injured: Diego Rico, Carlos Fernandez, Martin Merquelanz, Robin Le Normand, Mikel Oyarzabal
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Manchester United 2-1 Real Sociedad
