Manchester United vs Real Sociedad - Preview, prediction, team news and lineups | OneFootball

Man United have won three of their seven previous meetings with Real Sociedad, albeit la Real's sole victory did come during their most-recent visit to Old Trafford in 2022. This is los Txuri-Urdin's only win in nine matches against English opposition.

Manchester United vs Real Sociedad Preview

Following last Thursday's first leg in San Sebastián, this tie is perfectly poised. After a relatively uneventful first half at Anoeta, Joshua Zirkzee fired Man United in front shortly before the hour mark, convering Alejandro Garnacho's pull-back cross. However, that lead did not last long. Referee Ivan Kružliak penalised Bruno Fernandes for an innocuous handball, with Mikel Oyarzabal stepping up to convert the subsequent spot-kick. 1-1 it finished, but we must have a winner this time.

Manchester United are looking to the Europa League to salvage their season, still unbeaten in this season's tournament, concluding the league phase with five wins on the spin. The Red Devils have reached, at least, the quarter-finals of this competition each of the last four times they've featured in it. However, each of their last six knockout phase defeats in any UEFA tournament have come against Spanish clubs, which certainly is not a good omen.

At the weekend, Rúben Amorim's team held Arsenal to a credible 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, actually unfortunate not to collect all three points. Nevertheless, considering they're 14th in the Premier League table, this mattes very little, needing to progress in the Europa League to keep this season alive, with Olympique Lyonnais, almost certainly, awaiting them in the quarter-finals.

Real Sociedad meantime are aiming to reach a first European quarter-final since 1989, having finished 13th in the league phase, before swatting aside Midtjylland last month. La Real have won only two of their last seven European away games, which has to be a concern, but will travel to Old Trafford believing they can cause an upset.

Although, domestically, Imanol Alguacil's side are not having a great time of it right now. Los Txuri-Urdin were beaten 1-0 by Sevilla on Sunday night, their sixth defeat in eight La Liga games, also losing each of their last five on the road. As a result, la Real are 11th, which would represent their lowest finish since 2018. Thus, Manchester United should progress on Thursday night.

Manchester United vs Real Sociedad Head-to-Head Record

Manchester United Team News

Rúben Amorim is currently without Altay Bayındır, Lisandro Martínez, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Amad, while Leny Yoro had to be replaced at half time against Arsenal. In better news, Patrick Dorgu can return, he's in the midst of a domestic suspension, while Manuel Ugarte is expected to be fit enough to return to midfield; Harry Maguire remains a doubt.

Christian Eriksen got the nod over compatriot Rasmus Højlund as part of the front three on Sunday, so will that be the case here too? Chido Obi-Martin cannot feature, as he's not in the UEFA squad, while Casemiro would sit out the first leg of any potential quarter-final if cautioned.

Manchester United Player to Watch vs Real Sociedad

Bruno Fernandes took his tally to 12 for the season with a stupendous free-kick on Sunday, while the captain has 21 career goals to his name in the Europa League.

Real Sociedad Team News

Under-pressure Imanol Alguacil made eight changes for Sunday's defeat to Sevilla, desperately seeking a winning formulae. Mikel Oyarzabal and Takefusa Kubo will return to the forward line, which'll see missfiring Orri Óskarsson back amongst the substitutes.

Elsewhere, Hamari Traoré could return at right-back, chosen over Aritz Elustondo, while Martín Zubimendi is set to return at the base of midfield, having missed the first leg due to a hamstring injury.

Real Sociedad Player to Watch vs Manchester United

By converting the first leg spot-kick, Mikel Oyarzabal took his tally to ten for the season, four of which have come in the Europa League, so could be la Real's Old Trafford hero?

Manchester United vs Real Sociedad Prediction

How to watch Manchester United vs Real Sociedad Europa League game on TV channel?

How to watch Manchester United vs Real Sociedad Europa League game on live streaming?

What is the date and kick-off time for Manchester United vs Real Sociedad in the Europa League?

Manchester United vs Real Sociedad in the Europa League takes place on Thursday 13 March 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (GMT), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PST).