Man United vs Real Sociedad Prediction & Tips

Joe Vaughan 13 Mar 2025
  • Manchester United entertain Real Sociedad in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 clash on Thursday with the tie finely balanced after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw last week at the Anoeta.

    The game kicks off at 8pm GMT at Old Trafford on Thursday, March 13, and will be broadcast by TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

    United are the favourites to progress with home advantage in the second leg, but their Spanish opponents shouldn’t be underestimated after a strong display in the first meeting. 

Man United vs Real Sociedad Predictions

  • Full Time Result: Man United Win
  • Correct Score: 2-1
  • Both Teams To Score: Yes
  • Over 2.5 Goals: Yes
  • First Goalscorer: Bruno Fernandes

Man United vs Real Sociedad Tips

Tip 1

United have endured an incredibly difficult and frustrating campaign but the one positive they can take from the season so far is their performances in the Europa League.

The Red Devils were the only team to emerge from the League Phase with an unbeaten record and after holding La Real to a 1-1 draw in Spain, they can win this tie without the need of extra time in Manchester.

United held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford at the weekend and results at home have been improving. Ruben Amorim’s men have won four of their last eight at home across all competitions and have only lost twice in normal time during that run.

Sociedad’s away form has been poor for some time, as they have lost each of their last five La Liga trips and have won just two of their last 11 inside 90 minutes on their travels across all competitions, suggesting United can make home advantage count.

Tip 2

United’s upturn in form has unsurprisingly coincided with a purple patch for skipper Bruno Fernandes.

The Portugal international opened the scoring in San Sebastian last week and he looks good value to repeat that trick in the second leg at 11/2.

Fernandes has three goals in his last five games and in six of the last seven matches in which he has scored, he’s been the first United player to grab a goal.

With United backed to win, it seems more likely that one of the home players will open the scoring and Fernandes looks a solid option.

Man United Form, Team News & Predicted Line-Up

Premier League side United have a lengthy injury list with Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Jonny Evans and Altay Bayindir all unavailable.

Youngster Chido Obi-Martin is ineligible for this competition, but Patrick Dorgu is available as his suspension only applies to domestic games.

Manuel Ugarte may return after a two-game absence, Leny Yoro came off early against Arsenal and will be assessed, while Harry Maguire is also a doubt.

Man United Predicted XI: Onana; de Ligt, Vindelof, Yoro; Mazraoui, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dalot; Garnacho, Eriksen; Zirkzee.

Real Sociedad Form, Team News & Predicted Line-Up

Sociedad rested Mikel Oyarzabal, Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea against Sevilla at the weekend and all three should return to the starting XI on Thursday.

Star man Martin Zubimendi missed the first leg due to illness but has now recovered, while Alvaro Odriozola and Arsen Zakharyan are also available again after minor issues.

Jon Pacheco is definitely absent, while Luka Sucic and Jon Aramburu are unlikely to feature after missing training this week.

Real Sociedad Predicted XI: Marrero; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Lopez; Turrientes, Becker, Marin, Olasagasti, Gomez; Oskarsson.

Man United vs Real Sociedad Head-to-Head Record

Last Three Results:

  • 06/03/25: Real Sociedad 1-1 Man United – Europa League
  • 05/11/13: Real Sociedad 0-0 Man United – Champions League
  • 23/10/13: Man United 1-0 Real Sociedad – Champions League

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