Real Sociedad vs Manchester United: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Both sides will be looking towards this game, as a potential to build some confidence but with the recent form for both Real Sociedad and Manchester United, we are leaning towards a draw on Thursday.

The home side are heading into this game, with two wins from their last five, with Manchester United also having won twice in their previous five matches in all competitions. Interestingly, both teams have used the Europa League for any form of consistency, with both sides unbeaten in their previous three matches in this competition.

It would be highly wise to suggest that Manchester United will eventually concede in this game to their Spanish opposition, as the Red Devils have failed to keep a clean sheet in their previous matches. The visitors have at least scored once in every Europa League game this season, so they could still pose a threat.

We expect a nervy game between the two sides, as four of the last five meetings have produced less than 2.5 goals.

That being said, we can’t look past a draw in this fixture.

Real Sociedad 1-1 Manchester United

Real Sociedad host a Manchester side, with both sides eager to win this competition to rescue their somewhat disappointing league campaign thus far.

Date:06/03/2025
Location: Reale Arena, San Sebastian.
Kick-Off: 17.45 pm

This clash sees these two sides meet in this competition for the third time in six seasons, the second time these two will play in the knockout rounds of the UEFA Europa League. The last two meetings have resulted in a 1-0 scoreline for either side, and it’s expected there could be nothing to separate these two teams in the first leg on Thursday.

Real Sociedad’s season, much like Manchester United, could be teetering on their potential success in this competition. The hosts, for the first leg, are ninth in La Liga after 26 games played and only scoring 23 goals in the league - whilst conceding 27. Real Sociedad are in a far better position league-wise than Manchester United, with the hosts only four points off the top six, but as the season progresses, this competition should become a priority.

Manchester United’s goal until the end of the season is very clear, and that is to win the UEFA Europa League. Ruben Amorim’s side looks almost certain to record their lowest-ever position and points tally in Premier League history - a record they conveniently set last season. Following their defeat against Fulham at the weekend, they are now only seeking one competition to play for to salvage their horrendous campaign across the board.

The game will be available on TNT Sports 1.

Real Sociedad Team News

Martin Zubimendi is expected to start on Thursday. The midfielder (linked with Liverpool) was substituted as a precaution at half-time against Barcelona.

Manchester United Team News

Manchester United are set to welcome back Patrick Dorgu to the lineup, as his suspension only counts for domestic competitions. Ruben Amorim could opt to field Alejandro Garnacho from the start, after the Argentinian was a second-half change in Manchester United’s penalty shootout defeat to Fulham.

The recent meetings between the two teams, only slightly favours Manchester United, which will bring a glimmer of relief for Ruben Amorim’s side. The Red Devils have won two of the last five meetings between the two sides, with Real Sociedad winning once and the two remaining games resulting in a draw. The two sides met each other the last season Manchester United were competing in the Europa League. Real Sociedad won the home fixture 1-0 thanks to a penalty from Brais Mendez. Then managed by Erik ten Hag, his Manchester United side exacted revenge in the away group game, thanks to Alejandro Garnacho’s first senior goal for the club.

Real Sociedad enter this game, with less than favourable form, as the Spanish side had lost three of their previous five matches in all competitions. The hosts have two consecutive losses against Barcelona (4-0) and Real Madrid (0-1), as well as suffering an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Real Betis in the league. The home side have won their last three Europa League matches, including recording a (7-3) aggregate win against Midtjylland to reach this stage.

On home soil, Real Sociedad possesses an impressive record at the Reale Arena. The hosts have won four of their last five home matches in all competitions, with impressive victories against Midtjylland (5-2), Leganes (3-0) and Osasuna (2-0). Their only defeat in their last five matches at home was the 1-0 defeat against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey.

Manchester United also enter this game, with less than desirable form, only recording two victories in their last five matches in all competitions. The Red Devils have only recorded wins against Ipswich Town (3-2) and Leicester City (2-1) - both games in which Harry Maguire scored the winner. Ruben Amorim’s side's last match saw the FA Cup holders relinquish their crown for this season, as Fulham defeated them.

Away from home, Manchester United’s record is rather respectable, as the visitors have won three of their last five away games. The Red Devils have recorded two consecutive wins away from home in the Europa League, beating the likes of Viktoria Plzen (1-2) and FCSB (2-0).

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