Manchester United face a significant game in their season on Thursday as they welcome Real Sociedad to Old Trafford.
The two are deadlocked at 1-1 in their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie, with Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty having been cancelled out Joshua Zirkzee’s opener in the first leg last week.
With their domestic season in ruins, United know that this competition is their only chance to salvage something from a wretched 2024/25. Winning this tournament would secure a cash windfall and qualification for next season’s Champions League, which could boost their chances of overhauling the squad in the preseason transfer window.
Real Sociedad won on their last visit here in September 2022, but the odds are against them when it comes to repeating that feat. They have failed to progress from their past 16 knockout ties in European competition, and Oyarzabal’s spot-kick last week is the only goal they have scored in a four-match winless run.
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Man United vs. Real Sociedad lineups, confirmed starting 11, team news
With United’s injury problems continuing in defence, Ruben Amorim hands a first start to Ayden Heaven, who joins Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui in a back three missing the injured Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez.
Patrick Dorgu plays given he is serving a domestic suspension, but Manuel Ugarte is not fit enough to start in midfield. That means Casemiro joins Bruno Fernandes again at the heart of the side, with both Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund in attack.
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Mason Mount is back in team training but will not be rushed back. Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo are still out, and Chido Obi is ineligible for this competition.
Man United lineup (3-4-2-1, right to left): Onana (GK) — Mazraoui, De Ligt, Heaven — Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu — Zirkzee, Garnacho — Hojlund
Man United subs: Mee, Harrison, Lindelof, Eriksen, Ugarte, Amass, Collyer, Fredricson, Fletcher, Scanlon
Injured: Mount (hamstring), Maguire (muscle), Evans (back), Martinez (knee), Shaw (muscle), Mainoo (muscle), Amad Diallo (ankle), Yoro (foot), Bayindir (undisclosed), Heaton (undisclosed), Ugarte (knock)
Suspended: None
Ineligible: Obi
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Real Sociedad suffered a big blow as they were forced to travel without midfielder Luka Sucic, whose persistent knee problem has ruled him out of the second leg.
Jon Pacheco and Alvaro Odriozola also miss out with injury, along with long-term absentee Arsen Zakharyan, but there’s a welcome return to midfield for Martin Zubimendi.
Imanol Alguacil rotated his team for the weekend loss to Sevilla but restores several first-team regulars to the lineup here. Mikel Oyarzabal and Takefusa Kubo come back in, along with goalkeeper Alex Remiro and left-back Aihen Munoz. There is also a start for Sheraldo Becker, who caused United problems as a substitute last week.
Real Sociedad lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Remiro (GK) — Elustondo, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz — Marin, Zubimendi, Mendez — Becker, Oyarzabal, Kubo
Real Sociedad subs: Marrero, Barrenetxea, Oskarsson,Lopez, Olasagasti, Gomez, Traore, Aramburu, Turrientes, Martin, Beitia, Mariezkurrena
Injured: Sucic (knee), Pacheco (muscle), Zakharyan (ankle), Odriozola (muscle)
Suspended: None
Man United vs. Real Sociedad live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Europa League match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
