Manchester United are preparing for a Europa League last 16 first leg tie against Real Sociedad.
A high stakes week lies ahead for Manchester United. Following FA Cup elimination, the Europa League is the club’s only path to a trophy, and securing European football for next season.
United landed a tricky Europa League encounter with La Liga side Real Sociedad, with the first leg taking place in Spain.
Sociedad are ninth in La Liga, and enter the game on the back of narrow defeats to Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Referee for Real Sociedad vs Manchester United
The referee has been appointed for Real Sociedad vs Manchester United on March 6.
The 5.45pm kick-off will be officiated by 41-year-old Ivan Kruzliak, who has refereed one Manchester United fixture before.
This was Manchester United’s 2-3 home defeat to Galatasaray in 2023, a shambles of a game from Erik ten Hag’s side from a defensive perspective, with Sofyan Amrabat filling in at left-back.
Rasmus Hojlund had a memorable night when Kruzliak was in charge
Referee Ivan Kruzliak officiated what might have been Rasmus Hojlund‘s best ever game in a Manchester United shirt.
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The clash against Galatasaray was Hojlund’s first Champions League game at Old Trafford, in which he scored two goals and was unfortunate to end up on the losing side.
The first goal was a powerful header from a Marcus Rashford cross, with the second striker coming with a galloping run from deep, with an impressive one v one finish.
Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images
Kruzliak sent off Casemiro, it was Andre Onana’s fault
The night was not so memorable for goalkeeper Andre Onana, who followed up mistakes against Bayern Munich with a clanger at home to Galatasaray.
And it was Casemiro who lost out. Andre Onana’s poor pass out of his own box led to Casemiro making a challenge inside the penalty area that saw him sent off, with a spot-kick awarded to Galatasaray.
While Mauro Icardi missed it, he went onto put his team 3-2 up minutes later, sealing an away win for the Turkish team.