Manchester United vs Real Sociedad: Match preview, what to expect, key players | OneFootball

Manchester United will host Real Sociedad in the Europa League round of 16 second-leg clash at Old Trafford this evening.

The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw, and the return fixture should be equally tight. Both sides need to progress to retain the hope of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Match preview

United have just one win in their three home games against Sociedad. They lost to the Spanish side in the last fixture played on their patch.

The Red Devils remain the only unbeaten side in the Europa League this term, making them the favourites for this clash.

Manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire and Mason Mount will not feature in this game. However, Midfielder Manuel Ugarte has been declared fit.

Sociedad could be without Luka Sucic and Jon Aramburu but have been boosted by the return of Alvaro Odriozola and Arsen Zakharyan from injuries.

What to expect

United could not dominate possession in the first leg, which was the first time they had failed to do that in the competition this season.

Given how dangerous they were in transition at Reale Arena, they could cede possession to Socidead again.

The two sides will likely concentrate most of their actions in the midfield. In the first leg, 45 percent of the actions took place in the midfield.

This is expected to be an intriguing clash. Both sides must win, as a defeat for either could end their faltering season.

Key players

Man United

Bruno Fernandes: He has bagged four goals and two assists in his last seven games at Old Trafford, making him a likely match-winner in this tie.

Joshua Zirkzee: The Dutch striker is beginning to thrive under Amorim, playing as a number 10. He scored the only goal in the reverse fixture.

Real Sociedad

Takefuso Kubo: He was not at his best in the first-leg but still managed to record three key passes, the most of any Sociedad player.

Brais Mendez: With most of the actions likely to happen in the midfield, the Spaniard’s influence could be a key for the away side.

Stats from sofascore.com & 11v11.com.