Manchester United Vs. Real Sociedad Prediction: The Red Devils' Way Towards The Highest Caste Of European Competition

JAKARTA - Manchester United will face Real Sociedad in the second leg of the Europa League last 16 at Old Trafford on Thursday night March 13 or Friday morning WIB. Both teams drew 1-1 in the first meeting at San Sebastian last week, where Joshua Zirkzee's goal was equalized by Mikel Oyarzabal's penalty in the 70th minute.

Three days after the draw against Real Sociedad, Manchester United returned to a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League. Bruno Fernandes scored with a spectacular free-kick which Declan Rice then equalized in the second half.

This season is a tough challenge for Manchester United. They will certainly not win domestic trophies and are currently in 14th place in the Premier League standings. With 10 games remaining, they are 13 points behind the top five. Therefore, winning the Europa League is the only hope for Ruben Amorim's team to qualify for next season's Champions League.

In addition to performance on the pitch, Man United is also in the spotlight after one of the club's owners, Sir Jim Radcliffe, discussed a number of issues related to the club's financial and future, including plans to build a new stadium with a capacity of 100,000 seats.

In the Europa League competition, Manchester United are still unbeaten this season (5 wins, 4 draws) and won their last three matches at Old Trafford. They only lost once in their last 28 home game in the Europa League (21 wins, 6 draws). However, the only defeat actually came against Real Sociedad in the group stage for the 2022/23 season, when Brais Mendez scored a penalty which ensured a 1-0 win for the Spanish team.

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad came to this match with an unconvincing performance. After a draw in the first leg, they lost 1-0 to Sevilla in La Liga, which was their third consecutive defeat in domestic competition.

Previously, Real Sociedad was also beaten 0-4 by Barcelona. The defeat to Sevilla exacerbated their position in La Liga, where they are now ranked 11th, 15 points adrift of the Champions League zone and 10 points from the Europa League zone with 11 matches remaining.

In the last eight away games in all competitions, Real Sociedad lost six times. However, they had a positive record when they visited Old Trafford in their last two meetings (1 win, 1 draw) and did not concede in the two matches.

If successful in winning at Old Trafford, this will be a historic achievement for Real Sociedad, which has never advanced further than the last 16 in European competitions throughout the 21st century.

In this match, Manchester United had to play without a number of key players, including Leandro Martinez (knee injury), Amad Diallo (article), Kobbie Mainoo (betis), Luke Shaw, Mason Mount (both hamstring injuries), Jonny Evans (struble injury), Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton (both of whom have not recovered), and Chido Obi-Martin (not eligible to play).

Leny Yoro is also doubtful after suffering a leg injury against Arsenal, while Harry Maguire (light injury) is still under medical observation. However, Manuel Ugarte is expected to return after missing the last two matches.

In the left-back position, Patrick Dorgu, who underwent a ban on playing in the domestic league, could be fielded. Amorim must also decide whether to play Rasmus Hojlund who are in poor form or continue to rely on Christian Eriksen and Alejandro Garnacho to support Joshua Zirkzee in attack.

On the other hand, Real Sociedad is still missing Jon Pacheco (structure), while Luka Sucic (lutut) and Jon Aramburu (leg) are also most likely absent after missing a training session on Monday.

However, Alvaro Odriozola and Arsen Zakharyan have recovered from injury and have the opportunity to appear. Martin Zubimendi is also ready to return to play after being absent in the first leg due to illness.

In addition, Oyarzabal, Takefusa Kubo, and Ander Barrenetxea are likely to start again after only appearing as substitutes against Sevilla. They will replace Orri Oskarsson, Sheraldo Becker, and Sergio Gomez.

This match is a crucial moment for both teams who are both struggling to win Champions League tickets next season. Manchester United have the advantage of playing at home, but Real Sociedad has a pretty good record at Old Trafford. Can the Red Devils secure victory, or La Real will make a surprise? We'll wait for the results on Thursday night.

Manchester United (3-4-3):Onana; De Ligt, Lindelof, Mazraoui; Dalot, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu; Garnacho, Hojlund, Zirkzee.

Real Sociedad (4-3-3): Remiro; Elustondo, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz; Turrientes, Zubimendi, Mendez; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea.