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Real Sociedad logo
Europa League | Round of 32
Feb 18, 2021 at 5.55pm UK
Estadio Anoeta
Manchester United logo

Real Sociedad
0 - 4
Man Utd


Le Normand (89')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Fernandes (27', 57'), Rashford (65'), James (90')
Wan-Bissaka (8')

How Manchester United could line up against Real Sociedad

Sports Mole looks at how Manchester United could line up for their Europa League last-32 first-leg clash with Real Sociedad on Thursday evening.

Manchester United will be desperate to bounce back from their disappointing draw with West Bromwich Albion when they kick off their Europa League campaign with a last-32 first leg against Real Sociedad on Thursday evening.

Bruno Fernandes's spectacular effort was not enough to get United over the line at the Hawthorns on Sunday, as the Baggies claimed a point in a 1-1 draw courtesy of Mbaye Diagne's early opener.

The Red Devils embark on a quest for Europa League success after finishing third in their Champions League group, and the Old Trafford fanbase will likely have the 2016-17 triumph fresh in their minds ahead of Thursday's clash with Sociedad in Turin.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Man United could line up for the first leg.



POSS MNU XI vs. SOC

Out: Paul Pogba (hamstring), Phil Jones (knee), Edinson Cavani, Donny van de Beek (both muscular)

> Click here for Man United's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Only a few hours before RB Leipzig knocked them out of the Champions League, Mino Raiola claimed that Paul Pogba's time at Old Trafford was over, and the Frenchman is one of four United absentees for this game through a hamstring injury.

Phil Jones has also been included in the Europa League squad despite his long-standing knee problem, and United have a couple of fresh concerns from their draw at West Brom as Donny van de Beek and Edinson Cavani have both picked up muscular injuries.

Dean Henderson turned out for United in their humiliating defeat at Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League but will hope to force his way into the starting lineup here, while Harry Maguire may be partnered by Eric Bailly after Victor Lindelof did not cover himself in glory for West Brom's opener.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is untouchable at right-back, but Alex Telles knows what it takes to succeed on the European stage from his Porto days, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could bring the Brazilian in if Luke Shaw is deemed in need of a rest.

Pogba's absence means that the midfield pairing of Fred and Scott McTominay will continue unless Solskjaer decides to throw the cat among the pigeons by including Nemanja Matic from the first whistle, but that scenario is unlikely.

Bruno Fernandes has already amassed 19 goals and 12 assists this term and will be integral to United's attacking play as they look to rack up 'away' goals in Turin, and the Portuguese playmaker is expected to feed Anthony Martial through the middle.

Marcus Rashford is one of four players who currently tops the Champions League goalscoring charts with six to his name, and the 23-year-old could be partnered out wide by his compatriot Mason Greenwood, who is in contention to start given Cavani's injury.

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Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Southampton in the Premier League on February 2, 2021
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