Five crucial facts worth knowing ahead of Man United Europa League clash with Real Sociedad | OneFootball

Manchester United face Real Sociedad in the Europa League round of 16 first-leg at the Reale Arena on Thursday evening.

Read on as we look at five facts ahead of the fixture.

United’s decent record against Real Sociedad

Man United have an impressive record against Sociedad. They have won three, drawn two and lost just once against the Spanish side.

United have also not tasted defeat on their three visits to the Reale Arena, winning twice and drawing once.

A historically low-scoring fixture

The previous encounters between the two sides have not produced many goals.

Only seven goals have been scored in the six meetings between the two sides, four of which were scored in United’s 4-0 triumph at Sociedad in 2021.

Ruben Amorim’s first meeting with Spanish opposition

Manager Ruben Amorim has yet to face Spanish opposition in his managerial career.

By contrast, Sociedad’s Imanol Alguacil has faced English teams four times, all of which were against Man United.

United’s good form in the Europa League

The Red Devils have been one of the best teams in the competition this term.

They are the only side yet to taste defeat and have averaged the most accurate passes and possession per game.

United and Sociedad’s similar fortunes with Kruzliak in charge

Referee Ivan Kruzliak will officiate the tie, and the two teams share a similar record in their previous games officiated by him.

His solitary United game was the 3-2 home loss to Turkish side Galatasaray in the Champions League last season.

Sociedad also lost their only game officiated by the Slovakian referee, a 2-1 loss to Monaco in this competition’s 2020/21 edition.

Stats from sofascore.com, transfermarkt.com & 11vs11.com.

Article written by Henry Thornton .