2024-25 UEFA Europa League Round of 16: Second Leg – Man Utd vs Real Sociedad

Manchester United host Real Sociedad in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2024-25 UEFA Europa League. 

With the tie locked at 1-1 after the first leg, victory would see either Utd or Real Sociedad advance but another draw would send the tie to extra-time, plus potentially penalties.

 

Team News

Leny Yoro is a doubt for Man Utd after he suffered a foot injury in their 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League.

Manuel Ugarte and Harry Maguire (both knock) could return, whilst Patrick Dorgu is available as his suspension only applies to domestic matches.

Jonny Evans, Kobbie Mainoo (both muscle), Lisandro Martinez (knee), Mason Mount (leg), Amad Diallo (ankle), Altay Bayindir and Luke Shaw (both unspecified) are still sidelined.

Real Sociedad will again be without Jon Pacheco due to a muscle injury which kept him out of the first leg.

Luka Sucic (knee) and Jon Aramburu (foot) are doubts for selection.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Man Utd host Real Sociedad at Old Trafford on Thursday 13 March at 8pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Man Utd have lost one of five Europa League meetings against Real Sociedad (W2, D2, L1).
• Real Sociedad are unbeaten in two previous Europa League visits to Man Utd (W1, D1).
• Man Utd are yet to score at home to Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
• United kept just one clean sheet at home in the league phase (W3, D1).
• Real Sociedad have avoided defeat in three of their five away games in this season’s competition (W2, D1, L2).

 

Prediction

Having battled hard to earn 1-1 draws in their last three games in all competitions despite their sloppy end product in open play, Man Utd seem to be finding a way to grind out those results but they will need to step it up now that this is must-win and their penalty shootout record this season has been mixed.

Real Sociedad though seem to like playing at Old Trafford in this specific competition with two clean sheets and despite having narrowly lost to Sevilla in La Liga last weekend, they certainly know how to mount a good fight defensively so this won’t be easy for either team.

In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a similar performance to the first leg and this goes to penalties because it is hard to separate these two teams.

Prediction: Man Utd 1-1 Real Sociedad (Man Utd to win on penalties)

Result: Man Utd 4-1 Real Sociedad (Man Utd win 5-2 on aggregate)