Read this excellent scout report on Manchester United's opponents in the Europa League round of 32, Real Sociedad.
Just under a week after United’s dismaying crash out of the Champions League, the Europa League round of 32 has been drawn. Despite Ole’s side’s spectacular efforts in the early group stage games, capturing three points against robust sides like PSG and RB Leipzig, the Red Devils couldn’t keep their consistency and ultimately finished 3rd in Group H, dropping down into the Europa League.
Manchester United was the third side out of the pots, being matched up against Real Sociedad for a place in the round of 16. United’s return to the Europa League commences on February 18th with the second-leg being played the following week. A good tie for Manchester United, due to the shorter travel time compared to other venues they could’ve been drawn to play in.
Real Sociedad currently sit top of the Spanish top-tier, ahead of giants like Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético Madrid. The side managed by Imanol Alguacil are yet to lose a league game since the end of September where they lost 0-1 to Valencia.
The two-sides haven’t met in a competitive fixture since 2013, where United won 1-0 in the first group stage game of the Champions League game and drew 0-0 in the second. At the time, United was managed by David Moyes and promising prospect, Adnan Januzaj made it onto the bench.
Just over 12 months later, David Moyes has been sacked for mediocre form and is managing Real Sociedad. He went on to be sacked a year later. As well as this, the Belgian prospect Adnan Januzaj left the Reds in 2017 to join Real Sociedad. Since then, he has proved to be displaying impressive performances in Spain and is still stationed there today. Assuming no injuries brew until the first leg, we could see Januzaj return to Old Trafford for the first time.
Another familiar face could make a return to Manchester, as David Silva made a transfer to the San Sebastian-based club in the most recent transfer window. After a ten-year stint at United’s rivals, David Silva’s time came to an end and left to join United’s UEL opponents on a free.
Sociedad could prove to represent a challenging game. The team finished second in their group below Napoli. Young stars amongst their lineup include Alexander Isak, a Swedish striker who burst onto the scene in the recent La Liga campaign, accumulating 9 goals and 1 assist over the season.
It’s standard for Sociedad to line-up with either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 formation. United also commonly utilise the 4-2-3-1 formation. The Spanish team have consistently resorted to width in their side with wingers such as Mikel Oyarzabal acting as a formidable threat on the flank.
With Manchester United’s strength and depth throughout the team, the game should be theirs for the taking, although Real Sociedad will look to capitalise on United’s inconsistencies throughout the squad. The Red Devils’ recent struggles in Europe could mount pressure for them as they look to retain their place in some form of European competition. Furthermore, if the Reds can go on to win the tournament, it could allow them access back to the Champions League, where Manchester United belongs.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will need to employ his best arsenal and ensure he wins the tie, as an exit in the Europa League could prove threatening for his job. Hopefully, he can go on to win his first piece of silverware in the role.
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Originally published for The United Stand.
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