Manchester United vs Real Sociedad LIVE: Europa League line-ups as Ayden Heaven begins with James Scanlon on bench
Manchester United resume their fight for the one remaining title they can win this season as they host Real Sociedad for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday.
Ruben Amorim’s side were held to a 1-1 draw in the opening leg in San Sebastian last week, with Joshua Zirkzee scoring the opener before Mikel Oyarzabal levelled proceedings with a late penalty. But they’ll need more of that magic against Real Sociedad, with this competition the final opportunity for the Red Devils to win silverware this season and rescue what has otherwise been a dismal campaign.
The visitors have been on a middling run of their own, having lost four of their last six games including a 1-0 loss to Sevilla in their last outing, and sit 11th in La Liga. But all the pressure is on United – especially after some of their players were labelled “overpaid” and “underperforming” by owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Follow updates from Manchester United v Real Sociedad in our live blog below:
Ruben Amorim responds to Jim Ratcliffe’s criticism of ‘underperforming’ Manchester United squad
This will be the first game for Man United since that particularly sharp criticism from Ratcliffe on Monday.
Manager Amorim – never one to sugar-coat any criticism – was quick to agree, saying that both he and many of his players were “underperforming”.
Will that be the metaphorical boot up the backside some of them need, or will it have a disastrous impact on a squad already low on confidence? Only time will tell.
Karen Carney calls on Sir Jim Ratcliffe to invest in Man Utd Women
“Nobody expects Man Utd to not be focused on the men’s team, but it is disappointing and surprising for a club of such history that has been forward thinking and world-leading not to be investing in one of the fastest growing areas in sport,” Carney tells TNT Sports.
“I thought they wanted to be the best in class, leaders in their field, for me it’s sad and I’m disappointed, I hope it changes.”
Paul Scholes shares views on new Manchester United stadium
“I was quite excited about it, this stadium holds many memories for me, I’ve played in great stadiums, Bernabeu, Nou Camp, this place has it as well, but it’s about time Manchester United caught up. It’s sad to say goodbye, but it’s time to move to a better, bigger stadium,” Paul Scholes tells TNT Sports.
“If it’s deliverable, I don’t know, £2bn, can that money be raised? It’s an exciting week, communicating with the fans, that hasn’t happened for a long time. It’s only words, but there were some exciting things in there.
“We’re saying three to five years to deliver a team and a squad to compete, they’re all words, talk is cheap, when that happens, I’ll be as excited as everyone else. The stadium as well, when it happens, the same.”
All to play for tonight…
There is nothing to separate United and Sociedad ahead of tonight’s tie after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
It is a historically low-scoring tie, with just nine goals scored in their seven European meetings, but a single goal could be enough to make the difference today. Should we remain level at full-time, though, extra time and penalties await. Such was the fate which befell Liverpool on Tuesday night as they were dumped out of the competition by Paris Saint-Germain.
Joshua Zirkzee and Mikel Oyarzabal, the first leg’s goalscorers, both return to the starting XI’s for their respective sides. Will they be the ones to make the difference tonight?
Man Utd vs Real Sociedad starting line-ups
Man Utd XI: Onana, Dalot, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Heaven, Dorgu, Casemiro, Fernandes, Garnacho, Zirkzee, Hojlund
Subs: Harrison, Mee, Amass, Fredricson, Lindelof, Collyer, Eriksen, J Fletcher, Ugarte, Scanlon
Real Sociedad XI: Remiro, Elustondo, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz, Marin, Zubimendi, Mendez, Becker, Oyarzabal, Kubo
Subs: Marrera, Barrene, Oskarsson, Javi Lopez, Olasagasti, Sergio Gomez, H. Traore, Aramburu, Turrientes, Martin, Beitia, Mariezkurrena
Team news dropping soon
Confirmed line-ups will be out in the next few minutes.
Until then, here’s everything you need to know about the planned new stadium:
Real Sociedad fans arrive at Old Trafford before Europa League tie
Manchester United announce plan to build ‘world’s greatest stadium’ to replace Old Trafford
Then just the next day came the bombshell news that Ratcliffe and United management are planning to build a £2bn new stadium…
Manchester United would be ‘bust at Christmas’ without cost-cutting measures, Jim Ratcliffe says
Man United have been in the headlines a lot this week, starting with this eye-catching interview with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The billionaire businessman went into detail on the club’s dire financial position, as well as criticising some “overpaid” members of his squad and fully backing beleaguered manager Ruben Amorim.
