Real Sociedad vs Man Utd: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Manchester United make the trip to San Sebastian on Thursday for their Europa League last 16 first leg with Real Sociedad.

After being dumped out of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon, the Red Devils now know that the Europa League is their only potential source of silverware this season. However, Ruben Amorim's side continue to plunge further into crisis and stand little chance of winning the continent's second most prestigious competition unless they can radically improve their form.

Despite their dismal campaign, United are the only unbeaten side remaining in the Europa League, winning five and drawing three of their league phase matches as they qualified directly for the last 16. Real Sociedad were far less convincing, losing three of their eight encounters as they stumbled to a 13th-placed finish.

La Real endured a difficult end to last week as they lost at home to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey before being hammered 4-0 by Barcelona in La Liga. An early red card saw them throw in the towel in Catalonia, with improvements needed on Thursday.

Here is 90min's guide to a Basque adventure for the Red Devils.

What time does Real Sociedad vs Man Utd kick-off?

Real Sociedad vs Man Utd head-to-head record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Real Sociedad vs Man Utd on TV - UK & US

Real Sociedad team news

Takefusa Kubo returns from suspension / David Ramos/GettyImages

Imanol Alguacil will be pleased to see Nayef Aguerd, Sheraldo Becker and Takefusa Kubo return from their domestic suspensions on Thursday. The latter is particularly integral to La Real's success in the final third and will cause United issues.

Mikel Oyarzabal was rested against Barcelona but should lead the line against Amorim's men, while Martin Zubimendi has been passed fit despite being withdrawn at half-time against the Catalan giants with a suspected hamstring problem.

Aritz Elustondo was sent off against Barcelona but is available to feature in European competition. However, Arsen Zakharyan, Jon Pacheco and Alvaro Odriozola are all expected to miss out through injury.

Real Sociedad predicted lineup vs Man Utd

Real Sociedad predicted lineup vs Man Utd (4-1-4-1): Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz; Zubimendi; Kubo, Mendez, Sucic, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal.

Man Utd team news

Harry Maguire will miss out for United / Carl Recine/GettyImages

United's already extensive injury list was added to on Sunday after both Manuel Ugarte and Harry Maguire were withdrawn with fitness issues. Neither are part of the squad travelling to San Sebastian.

Backup goalkeepers Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton are missing, while Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw are absent in defence. Further forward, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Amad Diallo are sidelined, while youngster Chido Obi is ineligible to feature after not being named in the Europa League squad.

In better news, Patrick Dorgu will return from his domestic suspension and feature against La Real, while Toby Collyer is back in training and is part of the travelling party.

Man Utd predicted lineup vs Real Sociedad (3-4-2-1): Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Mazraoui; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Zirkzee, Hojlund, Garnacho.

Real Sociedad vs Man Utd score prediction

Can United continue their unbeaten European run against Real Sociedad? Well, very possibly.

The Red Devils have often been reliant on the individual genius of Bruno Fernandes this season and the Portuguese could well be the tempo-setter and difference-maker in San Sebastian. If his teammates can play at even half his level, United have a chance of avoiding defeat.

However, if one side is going to shade the first leg, it's likely to be La Real. Despite back-to-back defeats, they are generally tough opposition to break down and are likely to frustrate Amorim's misfiring forward line. At the other end of the pitch, they have plenty capable of hurting a Maguire-less defence.