MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 03:19:01| >> :120:11976:11976:
[monks data]
Manchester United logo
Europa League | Group Stage
Sep 8, 2022 at 8pm UK
Old Trafford
Real Sociedad logo

Man Utd
0 - 1
Real Sociedad


Martinez (57'), Fred (83')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Mendez (59' pen.)
Silva (60'), Munoz (70'), Turrientes (89')

Preview: Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between Manchester United and Real Sociedad, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Fresh from ending Arsenal's perfect start to the season, Manchester United begin their Europa League campaign in Group E versus Real Sociedad at Old Trafford on Thursday night.

The Red Devils saw off their capital counterparts 3-1 at the weekend, while their Spanish visitors claimed a point from a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in La Liga.


Match preview

Manchester United's Antony celebrates scoring their first goal on September 4, 2022© Reuters

While £85.4m signing Antony did display some of the flashy footwork that has been the subject of online ridicule against Arsenal, the silky Brazilian also demonstrated his proficiency in front of goal to help the Red Devils continue their winning run at the expense of Arsenal's.

Antony curled home a delightful debut goal before a threatening Arsenal eventually got their reward through Bukayo Saka, but the Gunners' defence folded as Marcus Rashford came up with a second-half brace for the rejuvenated Red Devils.

Having now recovered from their abysmal start to competitive proceedings under Erik ten Hag, Man United enter the first matchday of the Europa League having won four on the bounce in the top flight, with both Arsenal and Liverpool falling victim to their superiority at Old Trafford.

Man United will now aim to continue their perfect streak of making it out of the group stage in the Europa League, and they have gone as far as the semi-finals in each of their last three appearances in the second-tier competition, but Villarreal's penalty prowess won them the title at the expense of the Red Devils in 2021.

Last season's European adventure also ended abruptly for Man United as they fell to Atletico Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions League, but the Theatre of Dreams faithful will not be expecting Omonia or Sheriff Tiraspol to give their side much trouble later on in Group E.

Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil on August 21, 2022© Reuters

Keeping up their theme of scoring one and no more than one goal in La Liga games this season, Real Sociedad did not allow Alvaro Morata's early opener to dampen their spirits against Atletico as they came back to draw 1-1 versus Diego Simeone's side.

Replacing Newcastle United new boy Alexander Isak with Umar Sadiq - who struck goal after goal for Almeria in the second division last year - paid early dividends as the 25-year-old headed home the equalising goal just 10 minutes after coming off the bench.

Taking seven points from a possible 12 is a far from disastrous way to start the season for Imanol Alguacil's side, whose pair of wins so far have both come away from home, although they were against Cadiz and Elche rather than 20-time national champions Man United.

The 2022-23 season marks Sociedad's third successive appearance in the Europa League group stage, and they successfully made it through to the knockout rounds in 2020-21 and 2021-22, but their run ended in the last-32 stage to RB Leipzig last year.

Prior to that 5-4 aggregate defeat to Die Roten Bullen, Alguacil's men bowed out at the same point to Man United in the 2020-21 tournament, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led the Red Devils to a 4-0 win at the Allianz Stadium before a second-leg goalless draw at Old Trafford.

Manchester United form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • D


Team News

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo during the warm-up on August 22, 2022© Reuters

Man United did not sustain any serious issues in the win over Arsenal, where Luke Shaw was fit enough to make the bench, but Anthony Martial and Facundo Pellistri remain out alongside Brandon Williams, who has not made the Europa League squad either way.

Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will need assessing as the out-of-favour duo try to shake off knocks in time for the contest, and rotation can be expected for the hosts, potentially starting in goal where Martin Dubravka will hope to earn his debut.

The duo of Lisandro Martinez and Marcus Rashford may not be risked following their precautionary withdrawals at the weekend, as the likes of Harry Maguire, Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro seek to force their way into the XI.

As for the visitors, French centre-back Robin Le Normand has not made the squad for Thursday's game due to a stress fracture in his foot, while Diego Rico, Mikel Oyarzabal, Martin Merquelanz and Carlos Fernandez are all unavailable as well. Le Normand's spot in the heart of defence should be filled by Aritz Elustondo.

Mohamed-Ali Cho and Alexander Sorloth will both be fearing for their places at the tip of the attack following Sadiq's goal off the bench last time out, while David Silva is expected to occupy the number 10 role upon his return to Manchester.

Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Antony, Fernandes, Elanga; Ronaldo

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Elustondo, Munoz; Mendez, Zubimendi, Merino; Silva; Sadiq, Sorloth


SM words green background

We say: Manchester United 1-0 Real Sociedad

Prolific performances have not been on the menu for Sociedad so far this season, and even if Ten Hag opts to rejig the pack in defence, Alguacil's side are fighting an uphill battle to trouble the Red Devils backline.

The visitors are still a tough nut to crack on their day, but the expected absence of Le Normand will be of major benefit to Man United, who should edge a tight contest for their fifth win on the bounce.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


ID:493953:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect11923:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Man Utd vs Real Sociedad

Manchester United
86.0%
Draw
8.7%
Real Sociedad
5.3%
527
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Phil Jones applauds fans after the match on January 3, 2022
Read Next:
Man United name 25-man squad for Europa League group stage
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!