Man United will kick start their Europa League campaign in the round-of-32 clash with Real Sociedad. English Club knocked themselves out from Champions League last year, while Sociedad finished second in Europa League Group F.
Match Timings: Feb 18, 11:25 PM IST
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Europa League 2020-21 starts with the round-of-32 clashes and Man United will face Spanish giants Real Sociedad on Wednesday night. This match will be played in Turin due to COVID. Real Sociedad are coming off two straight victories in La Liga and are unbeaten from the last four matches. Sociedad takes the 5th spot in the domestic season, seven points behind 4th placed Sevilla. Imanol Alguacil's side had only won two of their previous 17 across all competitions and the downfall in the last two months hurt their chances. After a 4-1 victory over Cadiz, Sociedad secured a 1-0 victory over Getafe. The Spanish side won just two of their six games and drew their last three at the group stage of the Europa League. They finished one-point better of AZ Alkmaar to earn a place in the knock-out stage. They have scored just five goals, the fewest goals by any team who qualified for the knock-out stage.
Meanwhile, United had a disappointing exit from the Champions League. After picking stunning victories in the first two matches, United lost the rhythm. After losing to Istanbul Basaksehir and Paris Saint-Germain, they lost to Leipzig at home. After the poor Champions League campaign, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side outplayed every opponent to take the top spot in Premier League. Man City knocked them out in the semifinal of League Cup but United secured the berth in the quarterfinal of FA Cup with a success over Liverpool and West Ham. The pursuit of Premier League title disturbed by Man City who had increased the margin at the top spot. The Red Devils have won just two of their last six in all competitions. United are seeing the individual brilliance from Bruno who scored 14 goals this season, including two Player of the Month award. The last time both sides locked horns in Champions League and United defeated the Spanish Club 1-0 at home before the goalless draw.
Oyarzabal will continue for Sociedad after recovering from the injury as the 23-year-old played for 79 minutes in the last tie. Luca Sangalli and Miguel Angel Moya both will be sidelined due to injury concern and the defender Robin Le Normand will return to the squad. Pogba will miss another fixture due to a hamstring injury. Anthony Martial may sit out and Rashford will start.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Real Sociedad
Remiro; Gorosabel, Le Normand, Elustondo, Monreal; Zubeldia, Merino, Silva; Januzaj, Isak, Oyarzabal
Current Form: W D L D W W
Previous Match: 1-0 victory against Getafe (La Liga)
Man United
Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Bailly, Telles; Fred, McTominay; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Cavani
Current Form: L D W D W D
Previous Match: 1-1 draw with West Brom (PL)
Key Players
Real Sociedad
Isak
9 goals in La Liga 2020-21
Oyarzabal
10 goals in La Liga 2020-21
Man United
Bruno Fernandes
14 goals in Premier League 2020-21
Marcus Rashford
8 goals in Premier League 2020-21
