Europa League: Manchester United VS Real Sociedad: Predictions, Head-to-head, Probable lineup, Key Stats

Numerous cards will be issued when Manchester United travels to the Basque Country, as the hosts are Spain's most physical team, infamously.

The La Liga team holds a three-point lead in Group E heading into the match, having won 1-0 at Old Trafford in September to open the season.

With head-to-head records and goal differential serving as tiebreakers in Europa League groups, Manchester United must defeat Real Sociedad by at least two goals to finish ahead of the Spanish club.

After winning their groups, the two teams are eliminated from the Champions League competition, which will eliminate the need for a two-legged play-off.

Real Sociedad is now sixth in the La Liga standings and has performed admirably thus far this season. The host team suffered a disheartening 2-0 loss to Real Betis over the weekend and will need to respond in this contest.

Manchester United are now in fifth place in the Premier League table and has improved following a bad start to the season.

The Red Devils defeated West Ham United by 1-0 in their previous match and will try to improve this week.

As for head-to-stats, La Real's September shocker against The Red Devils was the only win they could manage. Apart from that, Manchester United has had two draws and two victories.

Key stats for the match 

• Real Sociedad has won their last two UEFA Europa League home matches, matching their previous best in ten games in the competition (D4 L4).
• Manchester United have won six of their previous seven away UEFA Europa League matches (L1), scoring 19 goals at an average of 2.7 per match.

Manchester United team news

Erik Ten Hag is anticipated to choose a formidable starting lineup, as finishing as group champions were one of his primary goals for the first half of the season.

Manchester United is without Raphael Varane, Axel Tuanzebe, Brandon Williams, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, among others.

Erik Ten Hag chose to give Alejandro Garnacho his full debut in the victory over Sheriff Tiraspol, but Rashford should start on the left wing for today's encounter, with Cristiano Ronaldo expected to lead the charge against familiar foes.

Predicted lineup: De Gea, Elanga, Fernandes, Rashford, Ronaldo, Dalot, Martinez, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro, and Eriksen.

Real Sociedad team news

An injury concern hampers Imanol Alguacil's preparations for Real Sociedad's match against Manchester United. He may be without the talents of as many as eight first-team players.

Takefusa Kubo is unavailable for La Real due to a shoulder ailment. However, Alex Sola should recuperate from his injury and return to action.

Former Manchester City player David Silva, Ander Barrenetxea, Momo Cho, Aihen Munoz, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Umar Sadiq are also unavailable.

Predicted lineup: Remiro, Mendez; Sorloth, Fernandez, Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Pacheco, Rico, Merino, Zubimendi, and Guevara.

Manchester United VS Real Sociedad prediction

It was a tight game between the two teams in the reverse fixture, and the same should happen this time too. Real Sociedad and Manchester United will try to clinch the top spot in Group E; hence, they will look to ensure they play defensively sound.

However, La Real are affected by the loss of its attacking force and will have to bear the loss against a well-rounded and in-form United.

Final prediction: Manchester United 1-0 Real Sociedad