Europa League: Real Sociedad vs Man Utd predictions, stats and injury update.
Manchester United must defeat Real Sociedad by two goals or more on Thursday to be crowned Europa League Group E champions.
Erik ten Hag’s team is currently second in the group and will face the leaders in San Sebastian knowing that a two-goal victory would guarantee them a last-16 spot and avoid the knockout round play-offs.
It would also provide retaliation for their only setback in the competition thus far, a 1-0 Old Trafford victory for the LaLiga club in September, which started Sociedad on their road to a remarkable five-game winning streak in the group.
La Real are now in pole position to secure top spot and a place in the last 16, but it is far from impossible for the visitors to acquire the result they require, given Imanol Alguacil’s side’s 2-0 home league setback to Real Betis, as well as mounting injury concerns.
Real Sociedad vs Man Utd Prediction
So far, Sociedad has defeated Omonia and Sheriff at home, but facing an in-form United with their own ailments to contend with is a far tougher scenario.
Ten Hag‘s United have only conceded two goals in their last seven games and will go into the encounter confident that they can get the job done offensively while also keeping things tight defensively.
The Red Devils were not at their best in their last league outing, a 1-0 win over West Ham on Sunday, but they have enough attacking talent to secure the two-goal margin of victory necessary.
Marcus Rashford appears to be back to his form, scoring twice in his last two games, while Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Antony, if fit, and Cristiano Ronaldo are among the other goal threats who might be crucial on Matchday 6.
Real Sociedad vs Man Utd Stats
So far, Real Sociedad has won all five of their group games, scoring ten goals and conceding only one.
United bounced back from Thursday’s home defeat by defeating the group’s two inferior teams, Omonia Nicosia and FC Sheriff, both at home and away.
Sociedad have lost their past two LaLiga games, falling 1-0 at Real Valladolid before falling 2-0 at home to Betis on Sunday.
After 12 games, La Real is sixth in Spain’s top division, 10 points behind champions Real Madrid, with seven victories, one tie, and four defeats.
United have gone unbeaten in their previous eight games in all competitions, winning six of them, and are currently fifth in the Premier League, eight points behind Arsenal in first place.
The Red Devils travel to the Basque Country having scored in each of their past 12 Europa League away matches since October 2019, and they defeated Sociedad 4-0 on aggregate in the Europa League last-32 round in February 2021.
Real Sociedad vs Man Utd Injury Update
Mohamed-Ali Cho, Mikel Oyarzabal, Umar Sadiq, Ander Martin, David Silva, Ander Barrenetxea, Aihen Munoz, and Takefusa Kubo have all been ruled out for Sociedad, while Alex Sola is a significant injury doubt.
Alexander Sorloth is anticipated to start in goal, while Igor Zubeldia and Ander Guevara are also in contention.
United are missing Raphael Varane, Axel Tuanzebe, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, although Victor Lindelof has recovered from illness, while Anthony Martial has recently returned to training following a back injury.
Antony and Jadon Sancho did not train on Wednesday, therefore they are both listed as questionable.
