Real Sociedad vs. Manchester United: Preview, team news, prediction for Europa League match
Real Sociedad welcome Manchester United to San Sebastian for the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie on Thursday.
La Real come into this match in inconsistent form, having alternated between winning and losing over their past six league matches. They are ninth in La Liga and were most recently in action on Sunday, when they were hammered 4-0 by Barcelona.
As for the Red Devils, they've been performing a similar Jekyll and Hyde act for much of the season as well. Currently 14th in the Premier League, United are coming off a penalty shootout loss to Fulham in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
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Real Sociedad vs. Manchester United: Head-to-head and recent statistics
All-time meetings: 6
Real Sociedad wins: 1
Draws: 2
Manchester United wins: 3
Manchester United have won three of the six all-time meetings between these sides.
Real Sociedad vs. Manchester United: Team news
Real Sociedad
Injured: Becker, Aguerd, Zakharyan
Suspended: None
Manchester United
Injured: Martinez, Amad, Shaw, Mainoo, Collyer, Mount, Bayindir, Evans, Maguire, Ugarte, De Ligt
Suspended: None
Real Sociedad vs. Manchester United: What the managers are saying
Imanol Alguacil, Real Sociedad
(via Yahoo!)
"They are a great team in Europe, with a great history, and that we are able to face them these years is a positive thing. They have a great team with a great coach.
"In the league they are not having results but in play they are doing things well, different. Tomorrow I expect a tough opponent – not because of their history, but because of their players. It will be very difficult and we will have to give everything to compete.
"If someone has us as favourites, they don't know what football is and what we have in front of us. Despite the injuries they have, they have great players, and I am not going to lack respect for a team like this."
Ruben Amorim, Manchester United
(via Manchester United)
"We have a lot of experience. Matta [Matthijs de Ligt] is a young player, but he has a lot of experience. We are ready. The good thing about playing in the Premier League is that there is a lot of experience. We are ready for everything. It's a big challenge. We are going to face a very good team - vey intense, with a lot of experience and international players. But we are ready because we face those teams every weekend."
Real Sociedad vs. Manchester United: Prediction
United's injury crisis will open the door for Real Socieded to take at least a point.
Prediction: Real Sociedad 1-1 Manchester United
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