After losing to Fulham in the FA Cup on penalties, the Europa League means more than ever to Manchester United this season.
By Ian King
Two sides with little else to play for
Elimination from the FA Cup on penalty kicks has hit Manchester United hard. The Europa League is now their only chance of silverware this season, but it’s not just that. They also now need to win this tournament to qualify for any form of European football next season, and considering the state of their finances the revenue from that is something they need more than ever. Real Sociedad have been up and down all season but their recent form hasn’t been great, with five defeats from their last seven matches in LaLiga as well as a recent elimination from the Copa Del Rey against Real Madrid.
Previous Meetings
The good news for Rúben Amorim is that Manchester United have only lost once in six previous matches against Real Sociedad. This was a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford in September 2022. United won the return match in San Sebastian by the same score. That win also marked the only time that Real Sociedad have ever scored in a competitive match against United, with United having won three previous meetings with a clean sheet and two goalless draws.
Key players
Nayef Aguerd has been a rock at the centre of the Real Sociedad defence this season since joining on loan from West Ham They’ve been dependent on this. With just 23 goals in 26 league matches, they’re the third-lowest scorers in the whole of LaLiga despite being 9th in the table. As for Manchester United… is it cheating to mention Bruno Fernandes again? It’s felt as though he’s been the bolt that has stopped them from completely falling apart in recent weeks.
Team News
Harry Maguire is another fresh injury doubt for United after limping off against Fulham. Patrick Dorgu is suspended from domestic competitions after being sent off against Ipswich, but could return for this match. Seventeen-year-old Chido Obi is ineligible after they failed to register him in their revised Europa League squad list that was submitted last month.
Real Sociedad have a number of injuries. Jon Pacheco remains injured and isn’t expected to return until later this month, while Arsen Zakharyan has joined him. Star players Sheraldo Becker, Takefusa Kubo and Aguerd are all available after missing their recent defeat at Barcelona through suspension.
Prediction
Manchester United looked as flaccid as ever against Fulham at the weekend and even their recent wins have looked some distance short of impressive, but they really do need a result from this match to take back to Old Trafford for the second leg. Considering Real Sociedad’s issues in front of goal this season and the fact that they’ve only ever scored once in six previous meetings – which would be no more than a statistical anomaly were it not for the fact that four of these meetings have been in the last four years – a goalless draw and a tense second leg feels realistic.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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