Man United will host Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday night which is a important for the home side to progress to the next stage of the competition.
BET BUILDER FOR THE GAME :
Bruno Fernandes over 2+ shots , over 3 total cards , home side double chance @ 2.20
Man Utd vs Real Sociedad preview
It’s make or break for Manchester United as they welcome Spanish opponents Real Sociedad to Old Trafford.
I said it last week, but this really is Manchester United’s most important fixture of the campaign.
The Red Devils are stranded in 14th position in the Premier League and with the Europa League their only remaining hope of silverware.
It’s been a disastrous campaign and will only worsen if they squander their opportunity to claim an unexpected ticket to next season’s Champions League.
European qualification would help with their limited finances and provide a much-needed cash boost for manager Ruben Amorim to spend in the summer transfer market.
And it’s on a knife-edge at 1-1 heading to Manchester.
Joshua Zirkzee gave United a 57th-minute lead, before Mikel Oyarzabal equalised from the spot in the first leg at the Reale Arena.
The Red Devils will have felt disappointed not to have won the encounter given their dominance for 60 minutes.
But they did secure a credible point against Arsenal on Sunday, and arrive knowing that Real Sociedad have only won one of their nine matches against English sides in European competition (D3 L5).
During that run, they’ve netted just three goals overall.
United are unbeaten in Europe this season and have lost just ONE of their last 28 Europa League games at Old Trafford (W21, D6) – although that loss was against Thursday’s visitors.
Man Utd vs Real Sociedad preview betting tips and predictions
Tense
It’s difficult to see too many goals scored in this encounter. There have only been nine goals scored in seven European meetings between Manchester United and Real Sociedad, with four of those coming in the same game by the Red Devils in a 4-0 win in February 2021.
The hosts have failed to score more than 1+ goal in any of their last three, while the visitors have blanked in three of their last four. Expect few goals on an extremely nervy night in Manchester.
Bruno
Where would they be without him? Despite a dreadful campaign, Bruno Fernandes is still putting up some impressive numbers.
The Portuguese, 30, has netted 12 goals and provided 13 assists for the Red Devils in 42 appearances – including five goal involvements in his last seven games.
He’s on penalties, and leads his colleagues in all the key metrics including shots. Expect the main man to be heavily involved and this can be seen from our bet builder above
