Manchester United face Real Sociedad in the Europa League later today, so we simulated the clash to see if United can make it to the quarter-finals
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Manchester United's predicted XI vs Real Sociedad
Manchester United's predicted XI vs Real Sociedad
(Image: EA Sports)
Manchester United must beat Real Sociedad in the Europa League Round of 16 second leg later tonight to ensure their spot in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Joshua Zikrzee's second-half strike was cancelled out by Mikel Oyarzabal's penalty as United were held to a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad in the first leg last week, meaning it's all to play for in the second leg at Old Trafford later today. A 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League on the weekend meant that Ruben Amorim's side has drawn 1-1 in their last three games, with the Portuguese manager needing a winning performance this time round.
If United beat Sociedad tonight, they will take on either Lyon or FCSB in the quarter-finals of the competition, with Lyon heading into the clash with a two-goal aggregate lead. So, can United make it to the next round of the Europa League later tonight? We used EA FC 25 to get a score prediction.
Manchester United vs Real Sociedad score predicted by simulation
To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 25 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that United could set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Onana; De Ligt, Lindelof, Mazraoui; Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu; Eriksen, Garnacho; Zirkzee.
We predict that Real Sociedad could line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their starting XI as follows: Remiro; Elustondo, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz; Mendez, Zubimendi, Susic; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea.
United would've been kicking themselves for not taking the lead after a dominant first-half performance, with Alejandro Garnacho, Zirkzee and Diogo Dalot all missing glorious chances to put Amorim's side ahead. Not long after the restart, United had their best chance yet to go ahead when Zirkzee was tripped in the box, but Bruno Fernandes hit the post from the resulting penalty, and the score remained level.
After riding their luck for most of the game, Sociedad started to find their feet in the closing stages at Old Trafford, with Takefusa Kubo striking the crossbar with a long-range effort as the Spanish side grew in confidence. With a few minutes to go, it was the visitors who were in control, and in the 88th minute, they took a late lead.
Mikel Oyarzabal made it 1-0 to Real Sociedad
Mikel Oyarzabal made it 1-0 to Real Sociedad
A great challenge from Martin Zubimendi stopped a United attack on the halfway line, with the midfielder laying the ball off to Brais Mendez, who charged forward with possession. The midfielder slipped a pass into the path of Mikel Oyarzabal, and one-on-one with Andre Onana, the striker drilled his shot into the bottom corner to win the game and the tie late on for the Spanish side.
EA FC 25 pre
In our simulation of the other Europa League games, Lyon beat FCSB 4-1 on aggregate, meaning Sociedad would take on the French giants in the quarter-finals.
What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments!
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