Manchester United travel to San Sebastian to face Real Sociedad in the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League on Thursday. The first leg of this round-of-16 clash at the Reale Arena takes on a greater importance for Ruben Amorim's side as it is now their only remaining chance for silverware this season.
United were knocked out of the FA Cup on Sunday, losing their fifth-round clash against Fulham on penalties, after the game finished 1-1. Amorim's team have only won two of their last six games in all competitions, a theme of their disappointing season so far -- in which the Europa League has been an exception. United are the only unbeaten team left in the competition, and finished third in the league stage.
They can be doubly hopeful of a positive result, having won two of their three games at the Anoeta. Real Sociedad are familiar faces in the Europa League, with Manchester United most recently beating them 1-0 in the group stage of the 2022-23 season, courtesy an Alejandro Garnacho winner set up by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Real Sociedad, meanwhile, come into this game on the back of 0-1 and 0-4 defeats to Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively. The match at the Olympic Stadium saw Aritz Elustondo sent off in the 17th minute and the ten men failed to have a single shot on goal while conceding four goals. Imanol Alguacil's side reached the round of 16 courtesy of a 7-3 aggregate win over FC Midtjylland.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of Sunday's game.
How to watch:
The match will be available on TNT Sports 1 in the UK, Paramount+ in the United States and Sony LIV in India. You can also follow ESPN's live updates.
Key Details:
Date: Thursday, Mar 6 at 5.45 p.m. GMT (12:45 p.m. ET, 11:15 p.m. IST)
Venue: Reale Arena, Donostia-San Sebastian
Referee: Ivan Kružliak (SVK)
VAR: Pol van Boekel (NED)
Team news:
Real Sociedad
Alvaro Odriozola, D, undisclosed, DOUBT
Luka Sucic, M, knee, DOUBT
Martin Zubimendi, M, discomfort, DOUBT
Jon Pacheco, D, muscle, OUT, estimated return Mar. 15
Arsen Zakharyan, M, thigh, OUT, estimated return Mar.30
Manchester United
Toby Collyer, M, undisclosed, DOUBT
Altay Bayindir, G, undisclosed, DOUBT
Jonny Evans, D, undisclosed, DOUBT
Mason Mount, F/M, strain, OUT, estimated return Mar. 9
Luke Shaw, D, calf, OUT, estimated return Mar. 15
Tom Heaton, GK, muscle, OUT, expected return Mar. 15
Kobbie Mainoo, M, undisclosed, OUT, estimated return Apr. 1
Amad Diallo, F/M, ankle, OUT, estimated return Jun. 30
Lisandro Martínez, D, knee, OUT, estimated return Oct. 1
Expected Lineups:
Real Sociedad
GK Alex Remiro
LB Javi Lopez | CB Igor Zubeldia | CB Aritz Elustondo | RB Jon Aramburu
DM Jon Olasagasti
LM Ander Barrenetxea | AM Brais Mendez | AM Pablo Marin | RM Takefusa Kuba
ST Mikel Oyarzabal
Manchester United
GK André Onana
CB Matthijs de Ligt | CB Harry Maguire | CB Leny Yoro
LM Diogo Dalot | CM Bruno Fernandes | CM Manuel Ugarte | RM Noussair Mazraoui
AM Alejandro Garnacho | AM Joshua Zirkzee
ST Rasmus Højlund
Stats:
Manchester United have never lost at the Anoeta, winning twice (1-0 and 4-0) in three trips to San Sebastian, while playing out a goalless draw in the other game.
Only Atletico Madrid (13) have more clean sheets in LaLiga than Real Sociedad (12) this season, while Alguacil's team have the 18th-worst attack in the league with 23 goals (only Getafe and Real Valladolid have scored fewer).
Manchester United have the highest average possession (61.1%) of any team in this season's Europa League and are the only unbeaten team in the competition.
Only Galatasaray (22) have scored more than Real Sociedad (20) in the Europa League this season.
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