Real Sociedad travel for Manchester United clash without key midfielder and with major doubt | OneFootball

Real Sociedad are on their way to England for their Europa League second leg clash with Manchester United, but have not traveled with one of their key players. Croatian midfielder Luka Sucic has made Mikel Merino’s starting spot his own this season since arriving from RB Salzburg, but Imanol Alguacil will have to come up with an alternative on Thursday night.

Sucic has muscle discomfort in his right leg, and has not traveled, as reported by Marca, with the club preferring him to recover at home. They do have defender Aritz Elustondo back after suspension kept him out of their Liga defeat to Sevilla over the weekend. Otherwise Alguacil can for the most part setup without considering injuries or suspensions.

One decision that will be last minute though is right-back Jon Aramburu, who has become the usual choice at right-back in light of Hamari Traore’s cruciate ligament injury earlier in the season. Aramburu left the pitch limping on Sunday, but at the very least with Traore there is a natural replacement.

Image via La Razon

Manchester United have plenty of injury issues of their own, with doubts about Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro’s availability. Ruben Amorim will be without Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo.

The tie is level at 1-1 from the first leg, when a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty equalised the opener from Joshua Zirkzee. While the Red Devils dominated more of the game, the closing stages belonged to the Txuri-Urdin, and Orri Oskarsson had two chances to win it for the Basque side. Over the weekend, United held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw, while Real Sociedad suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Sevilla at home, albeit resting players for this clash. If you’re keen to see Manchester United hosting La Real at Old Trafford, find out how to buy tickets here.