How to watch Man Utd v Real Sociedad, team news, pre-match quotes, predicted line-ups and more | OneFootball

Man Utd host Real Sociedad at Old Trafford in the second leg of the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday.

The two sides were evenly matched in San Sebastian a week ago with the first leg of their tie finishing 1-1. Back in Manchester for the decisive second leg, United are favourites to advance.

The Reds have been in the news this week, as ambitious and costly plans to build a new stadium were revealed. Winning the Europa League is the only way they can secure European football for next season, which would provide vital financial boosts. United have a good chance to progress and they remain the only undefeated side in European competitions this season.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of the clash…

Kick-off time

8pm GMT

How to watch in the UK

TNT Sports 1 or streaming on Discovery+

Injuries and doubts

Man United: Lisandro Martinez (out), Luke Shaw (out), Kobbie Mainoo (out), Amad Diallo (out), Jonny Evans (out), Chido Obi (ineligible), Harry Maguire (out), Leny Yoro (out), Mason Mount (doubt)

Man United’s depleted squad has been boosted by the return to training of midfielders Mason Mount and Manuel Ugarte. However it will be too soon for Mount’s return to the pitch. The Reds are also weakened by the absence of Leny Yoro.

Real Sociedad: Jon Pacheco (out), Arsen Zakharyan (out), Alvaro Odriozola (doubt), Luka Sucic (doubt)

Arsenal-linked Martin Zubimendi was a surprise absentee from the first leg. He missed out due to illness but has since recovered and played at the weekend. Luka Sucic is the only starter from the first leg that could miss out.

Predicted line-ups

Man United (3-4-2-1): Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Lindelof; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Zirkzee, Garnacho; Hojlund

Real Sociedad (4-1-4-1): Remiro; Elustondo, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz; Zubimendi; Kubo, Mendez, Turrientes, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal

Recent form

United earned a decent point against Arsenal on Sunday. Despite playing at home, the Reds spent most of the game defending and only enjoyed 32% of possession. After the match manager Ruben Amorim admitted that he did not like the way his team played. A draw tonight would only be enough to send the tie to a penalty shootout.

Real Sociedad are not enjoying their best campaign and they have slipped to 11th in the La Liga table. The Basque side suffered defeat again on Sunday, although they did field a weakened lineup. They are without a win in four.

What’s been said?

United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe recently accused some of the Reds’ players of being overpaid and under-performing. Asked about these comments Ruben Amorim admitted: “I think if we’re being honest in this moment everybody, me, all the players we are underperforming this season. We can always change that. So I include myself in that part of underperforming.

“And you are talking about players like Casimiro, for example, that have won everything. And we know that these kind of players can play so much better.”

On the match he added, “It is going to be a really important game for us.”

After the 1-1 draw between the sides, Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil claimed, “They (Man United) are one of the best teams in Europe. You have to be very precise and have a lot of speed.

“They are very competitive there and we were able to hold on and draw, which has a lot of value.”