The quest for Manchester United to find a silver lining in their otherly unpleasant season continues Thursday in the UEFA Europa League, when they face Real Sociedad in the second stage of their eighth of 16 equally. The two parties equaled 1-1 in Spain last week, which means that it is anyone’s match at Old Trafford on Thursday. The competition represents United’s only opportunity to qualify for the European competition next season, although it only came if they won the competition. There are still a few games to go to the final of May 21 in Bilbao, including a confrontation with France Lyon or the FCSB of Romania in the quarter -finals.
Manchester United between technically in Thursday’s match on an undefeated race for five games but true to train, it is not exactly an impressive section of games. Their only victory of this section was a 3-2 victory over the city of Ipswich threatened by relegation and one of their many prints included a defeat on penalties against Fulham in FA Cup. So far, their Europa League campaign has above all been a stay of a disappointing national campaign, but as always, it is difficult to know which version of United will appear when the game really starts.
Bruno Fernandes, one of the rare reliable artists of United, will probably be counted on to play a big role as they occupy a place in the quarterfinals. What other players could appear is an open question, however – Fernandes has three goals and a decisive pass in this five game section, but the goals were otherwise divided between the group, continuing to describe the difficulties of United to mark the whole season. The Red Devils also did not keep white sheet in their last eight games, which makes the score imperative, no matter how difficult it turned out to be this season.
Here’s what you need to know before connecting.
How to watch and dimensions
- Date: Thursday March 13 | Time: 4 p.m.
- Location: Old Trafford – Stretford, England
- Watch: Paramount +
- Odds: Manchester United -120; Draw +220; Real Sociedad +360
Projected United range
Onana, Yoro, Ligt, Mazraoui, Dalot, Fernandes, Cases, Dorgu, Garnacho, Hojlund, Zirkzee
Prediction
Even if this season has been defined by their difficulties, United still has enough quality to win a victory against the 11th place de la Liga team. Do not expect the game to be particularly entertaining, however, given the difficulty of score for them this season. Take: Manchester United 1, Real Sociedad 0
