Real Sociedad vs Manchester United LIVE: Team news, line-ups and more ahead of Europa League fixture tonight
Follow all the action as Real Sociedad take on Manchester United in the first leg of their Europa League round of 32 tie tonight.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side slipped out of the Champions League in the final round of group games with defeat by RB Leipzig and are considered favourites to lift the Europa League trophy heading into the knockout stages. United have endured something of a dip in form in recent weeks, though, being held by Everton and West Brom in their last two league games, drawing an early end to whispers over their title aspirations. Solskjaer will also have to negotiate something of an injury crisis, too, with Edinson Cavani, Donny Van De Beek and Paul Pogba all ruled.
Real Sociedad will provide a stern test, with the Basque side currently fifth in La Liga, having briefly been leaders at one stage earlier this season. Their exciting side features a host of former Premier League names, with David Silva, Adnan Januzaj and Nacho Monreal all in line to feature, while star striker Alexander Isak has scored six goals in his last five league games. The tie is being played in Turin rather than San Sebastian due to international travel restrictions. Follow all the action live below:
READ MORE: United’s injury crisis presents opportunity for Greenwood
READ MORE: Meet Isak, the prodigious striker out to stop United
Independent Football Newsletter
Get the latest football headlines direct to your inbox twice a week
Read our full mailing list consent terms here
GROUP STAGE ACTION
It wasn’t the toughest group for the Spanish side to emerge through, as they came second behind Napoli and ahead of AZ Alkmaar and Rijeka. There were only two wins in the group stage for them, all the same.
As for United, they were in the Champions League and looking good for a last-16 spot, before collapsing entirely. They only really needed a draw from their last game, or two wins from the final four fixtures, but failed to get either, losing out to RB Leipzig on the final matchday and finishing third to drop down into the Europa.
RECENT FORM
Real Sociedad have won their last two, against Cadiz and Getafe in LaLiga to leave them fifth in the table. But victories have been hard to come by for a while now for La Real, with just two in 17 matches across all competitions prior to these back-to-back wins, including a five-match run of draws.
UNITED LINE-UP
For Man United, it’s a mix of regular starters and one or two opportunities to impress, with Dean Henderson getting the nod in goal and Alex Telles coming in at left-back.
MUN XI: Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Telles; McTominay, Fred; James, Fernandes, Rashford; Greenwood
LA REAL LINE-UP
No surprises for Real Sociedad as they go full-strength. Former United man Adnan Januzaj starts, as does Man City legend David Silva.
RSO XI: Remiro; Zaldua, Zubeldia, Aritz, Monreal; Illarra; Januzaj, Merino, Silva, Oyarzabal; Isak
UNITED FORM
Solskjaer’s side were flying not so long ago, but their form heading into this fixture isn’t exceptional.
In the Premier League, United have won one of their last five…though on the other hand, it’s one defeat in 11 across all competitions.
EUROPA LEAGUE RETURNS
Afternoon all! European action restarted in style this week, with some huge performances in the Champions League from the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. Now it’s the turn of the Europa League combatants to push on toward potential silverware…and a place in next season’s elite competition, too.
REAL SOCIEDAD TAKE ON MANCHESTER UNITED
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage as Real Sociedad take on Manchester United in the Europa League round of 32. Ole Gunnar Solskjear’s side enter the knockout stages as favourites to lift the trophy, however, La Real still pose plenty of threats, with star striker Alexander Isak having scored six goals in his last five La Liga games.
Source: Read Full Article