Real Sociedad vs Manchester United: prediction, preview, team news| UEFA Europa League 2020-21

Manchester United will be aiming to take a step closer to the next phase of the UEFA Europa League when they lock horns with Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Round of 32 tie at the Allianz Stadium on Thursday night.

Both teams have been impressive this season and have a point to prove going into this fixture.

Manchester United are currently in second place in the Premier League standings and have shown tremendous improvement under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season.

The Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw by West Bromwich Albion over the weekend and will want to return to winning ways on Thursday.

Real Sociedad, on the other hand, have had their fair share of problems to address after a strong start to the season. The Basque outfit edged Getafe to a 1-0 victory in its previous match and will look to pull off an upset in this fixture.

Manchester United began the season in the Champions League, but a capitulation towards the latter stages of the group phase saw them finish third behind PSG and RB Leipzig.

Real Sociedad are unbeaten in their last three matches, beating Getafe 1-0 in their most recent outing.

Reason for Real Sociedad vs Manchester United predictions:

Man United have won once in their last six games within 90 minutes.
Real Sociedad have avoided defeat in regular time in nine of their last 10 matches.
The Red Devils have failed to win in their last nine clashes with Spanish opposition.
Real Sociedad have lost four of their last five knockout matches in major UEFA European competition.
Machester United have lost one of their last 16 UEFA Europa League knockout matches.

Real Sociedad and Manchester United have only met twice previously, doing so in the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League group stage, with the Red Devils winning one and drawing one game each.

Manchester United have a good record against Real Sociedad and have won one out of two matches played between the two teams. Real Sociedad have never defeated Manchester United in an official fixture and will view this game as an opportunity to improve their track record.

The previous meeting between the two sides took place in the UEFA Champions League in 2013 and ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Both teams have changed drastically over the past few years and have a point to prove this week.

Our Prediction: Draw @ 3.50