Match preview
On Thursday night at Old Trafford, Manchester United play Real Sociedad in the opening round of Group E after only breaking Arsenal’s unblemished start to the season. The Red Devils trounced their city rivals 3-1 over the weekend, while the Spanish visitors earned a point by drawing 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in La Liga. While the £85.4 million acquisition, Antony, did exhibit some of the flamboyant movement that online trolls have derided when used against Arsenal, the slick Brazilian also showcased his skill in front of goal to help the Red Devils extend their winning streak at Arsenal’s cost. Before a threatening Arsenal finally got their due from Bukayo Saka, Antony curled in a lovely first goal.
Real Sociedad continued their trend of scoring one and no more than one goal in La Liga games this season by rallying to tie 1-1 with Diego Simeone’s club despite Alvaro Morata’s early strike against Atletico Madrid. Last season, 25-year-old Umar Sadiq, who played for Almeria in the second division, scored goal after goal, making Alexander Isak’s immediate replacement at Newcastle United profitable. Ten minutes after replacing the injured player, he headed in the equalizer.
Team news
During Manchester United’s victory over Arsenal, Luke Shaw was able to sit on the bench due to his health, but Martial, Facundo Pellistri, and Brandon Williams are still sidelined. In any case, Williams was not selected for the Europa League team.
The hosts are anticipated to rotate, perhaps starting in goal where Martin Dubravka will try to make his debut. It will be necessary to assess Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as they work to recuperate from their injuries in time for the game. Martinez and Rashford might not be risked after their cautious withdrawals over the weekend as players like Maguire, Ronaldo, and Casemiro aim to crack the starting XI.
Mikel Oyarzabal, Martin Merquelanz, and Carlos Fernandez are all out for the visitors, and French center-back Robin Le Normand is a serious question mark for the match on Thursday due to a stress fracture in his foot. Left-back Le Normand could be replaced in the center of defense by Aritz Elustondo, and Diego Rico, who is dealing with a hamstring ailment, was able to miss the game against Atletico. Alexander Sorloth and Mohamed-Ali Cho will be worried about their positions at the top of the attack after Sadiq’s goal off the bench the previous time out, while David Silva is expected to play the number 10 position upon his return to Manchester.
Manchester United possible starting XI:
Dubravka; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Antony, Fernandes, Elanga; Ronaldo
Real Sociedad possible starting XI:
Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Elustondo, Munoz; Mendez, Zubimendi, Merino; Silva; Sadiq, Sorloth
