Real Sociedad vs Manchester United Preview

• Draw
• Both teams to score

Real Sociedad will be eager to put their back-to-back defeats against Real Madrid and Barcelona behind them as they host Manchester United in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round of 16 tie.

This is the third time these two clubs have faced each other in this competition in the last five seasons, and while United hold a dominant record against Sociedad, both sides come into this game with something to prove.

Sociedad will take confidence from their home form, having won 11 of their last 14 matches at Reale Arena. However, they have never scored against Manchester United in three previous home meetings (D1, L2), a record they’ll be determined to change.

Manchester United, meanwhile, enter this game under pressure after crashing out of the FA Cup against Fulham on penalties at the weekend.

Ruben Amorim’s side has struggled for consistency, and injuries continue to pile up, leaving their squad stretched. However, United’s attacking threat in the UEL has been unmatched, with the Red Devils averaging 18.8 shots per game, the highest of any remaining team.

This fixture will be a true test of resilience for both teams—Sociedad looking to break their poor record against United, and the visitors trying to prove their European credentials amid an injury crisis and growing pressure on Amorim.

Key Stats & Facts

• Real Sociedad have never scored at home against Manchester United in three previous UEL meetings (D1, L2).
• Sociedad have netted in all 10 of their UEL matches this season, showing their attacking quality in this competition.
• La Real have won four consecutive home games in the Europa League.
• Manchester United have lost just one of their last eight European away games in Spain (W5, D2, L1), but that loss came against Sevilla (3-0) in 2023.
• Six of United’s last seven European campaigns have ended in elimination at the hands of Spanish opposition.
• United average 18.8 shots per game in the UEL—the highest of any remaining team.

Real Sociedad: Can They Finally Break Their United Curse?

Despite recent domestic setbacks, Sociedad have been strong in the Europa League, particularly at home.

They’ve won their last four UEL games at Reale Arena, and they’ve scored in every game of this campaign.

However, their record against Manchester United is poor, and they’ll need to show greater cutting edge in attack if they want to take a lead into the second leg at Old Trafford.

Recent Form (All Competitions)

• La Liga: Real Sociedad 0-2 Barcelona – Loss
• La Liga: Real Madrid 1-0 Real Sociedad – Loss
• UEFA Europa League: Real Sociedad 3-1 Midtjylland – Win
• La Liga: Real Sociedad 1-1 Sevilla – Draw
• UEFA Europa League: Midtjylland 0-1 Real Sociedad – Win

Key Player: Brais Méndez (Midfielder)

• Scored in both legs against Midtjylland in the knockout play-off round.
• Only Real Sociedad player to ever score against Manchester United.
• Has been Sociedad’s creative force in midfield this season.

Manchester United: Can They Overcome Their Spanish Struggles?

Manchester United’s injury crisis and poor domestic form mean they arrive in Spain under pressure. Ruben Amorim’s side has struggled to find consistency, but their attacking output in the Europa League has been strong.

However, their historical record against Spanish teams in Europe is a major concern. They have been eliminated by a La Liga team in six of their last seven European campaigns, and their most recent trip to Spain ended in a heavy 3-0 loss to Sevilla.

Recent Form (All Competitions)

• FA Cup: Manchester United 2-2 Fulham (Lost on Penalties) – Loss
• Premier League: Manchester United 3-2 Ipswich Town – Win
• Premier League: Everton 2-2 Manchester United – Draw
• Premier League: Manchester United 0-1 Tottenham – Loss
• Premier League: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Manchester United – Loss

Key Player: Bruno Fernandes (Midfielder)

• Has 24 goal contributions this season (11 goals, 13 assists).
• United’s captain and most influential player in attack.
• Will need to step up in the absence of key attacking players.

Team News & Predicted Lineups

Real Sociedad Team News

• No major injury concerns for Imanol Alguacil.
• Takefusa Kubo expected to start.
• Brais Méndez will be Sociedad’s main attacking outlet.

Manchester United Team News

• United’s squad is heavily depleted due to injuries.
• Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, and Jonny Evans are all ruled out.
• Amorim may rotate his squad following their FA Cup elimination.

Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Meetings in European Competitions)

Key Trends

• Sociedad have never scored at home against United in the UEL.
• United have won twice in San Sebastián, keeping clean sheets on both occasions.
• Three of the last five H2Hs have had under 1.5 goals.

Match Prediction

This will not be an easy game for either side. Sociedad have a fantastic home record in the UEL, but their historical struggles against United cannot be ignored.

United have the stronger squad on paper, but their injury crisis and recent poor form make them vulnerable. With Bruno Fernandes leading the attack, United should create chances, but Sociedad’s strong defensive record at home means this could be a tight contest.

A low-scoring draw seems likely, but if Sociedad can finally break their United curse, they may just edge it.

Final Score Prediction: Real Sociedad 1-1 Manchester United

• Both teams to score.
• Bruno Fernandes to have a key impact.
• All to play for in the second leg at Old Trafford.

For more info on this game, you may also visit:
Real Sociedad vs Man Utd | UEFA Europa League 2024/25