Overview
Real Sociedad have not been in good form recently, having lost all 2 recent matches. However, their opponents in those defeats were Real Madrid and Barcelona. It is easy to understand why Sociedad conceded 5 goals and did not score any.
Long-term ignoring these failures, coach Imanol Alguacil's team needs to regain their spirit when hosting Man United at home at Anoeta in the Europa League. The Basque club has won 5/6 of their most recent matches at their home ground (against PAOK, Osasuna, Espanyol, Midtyjlland, Leganes), scoring a total of 14 goals.
Meanwhile, Sociedad's defense has performed quite well with only 5 goals conceded. In the loss to Real Madrid, they also lost only 1 goal despite great pressure.
For Man United, they have not shown any signs of improvement. A few days after a hard-fought win over Ipswich Town, they were eliminated from the FA Cup by Fulham on penalties. Coach Ruben Amorim's team has only won once in the last 4 matches, in addition to the defeat against Tottenham and the draw with Everton.
Man United's defense has encountered many problems when they have conceded 6 consecutive goals. Not to mention, scoring is also giving Amorim a headache when strikers like Hojlund or Zirkzee are lackluster, while young talent Chido Obi is not registered in the Europa League.
Amorim may only have hope for captain Bruno Fernandes, who has led the team's scoring list this season.
With what they are showing, Man United's crisis may not be able to stop. It is likely that Real Sociedad will at least get a draw.
Personnel situation
Luka Sucic may be absent for Sociedad due to injury. Meanwhile, captain Mikel Oyarzabal could be ready to play after a recent break.
On the other side of the front line, Harry Maguire needs to be assessed after practicing and leaving the field in the match against Fulham. Meanwhile, Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Amad Diallo, Toby Collyer and Altay Bayindir are still injured. Patrick Dorgu could return to the starting lineup after being suspended in the country.
Expected lineup:
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Lopez, Aguerd, Zubeldia, Arambru, Zubimendi, Marin, Mendez, Kubo, Barrenetxea, Oyarzabal.
Man United: Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Yoro, Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu, Zirkzee, Garnacho, Hojlund.
The match between Real Sociedad and Man United takes place at 0:45 am on March 7 (Vietnam time).
