In the sixth and final round of the Europa League group stage, Manchester United will face Real Sociedad in Spain. Although both sides have qualified for the knockout phase, their Thursday night clash is expected to be a decisive one since the UEL group runners-up will have to play one more knockout round play-off in February to progress to the round of 16, where the group winners advance directly.
As it all stands in group E, Real Sociedad are the leaders with an astonishing 15 points from five matches, and the red devils are second in the group table with 12 points. Regarding the 1-0 defeat in the first leg, United could win the group only if they win in Basque with a minimum of two goals difference. “we’ll do everything to get that done.”, Ten Hag told www.manutd.com.
The Spanish side need to bounce back after a home league defeat against Real Betis last weekend, while Manchester United are looking forward to extending their eight-match unbeaten streak. Aware of the opponent’s magnificent form, Imanol Alguacil, Real Sociedad boss, said: “Reale (stadium) will be bursting at the seams, and we have to go out and win the game,” told the club’s official website.
Manchester United De Gea, Shaw, Martínez, Lindelof, Dalot, Eriksen, Casemiro, Garnacho, Van de Beek, Fernandes, Ronaldo.
Real Sociedad Remiro, Rico, Pacheco, Le Normand, Gorosabel, Merino, Zubimendi, Mendez, Marín, Fernandez, Sorloth.