Manchester United kick off this season’s Europa League campaign on Thursday night against Spanish outfit Real Sociedad, who travel to Old Trafford in hopes of giving Erik Ten Hag’s side the toughest test in Group E.
United come into games bouncing, having crushed Arsenal in their most recent outing, taking their winning streak to four as they look to put the disastrous start to the season behind them.
Imanol Alguacil’s Real Sociedad have added 7 points out of a possible 12 at the start of the League, with their two wins away from home against Cádiz and Elche, respectively.
Their last outing saw them win a hard-fought point against Atletico Madrid, with a 4-1 thrashing of Barcelona making up their first results.
Ten Hag is expected to rotate his line-up in the Europa League stages, providing opportunities for players who have not featured as much as they would like this season.
Harry Maguire, Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro are three stellar names expected to start on Thursday, reflecting the depth force that Ten Hag has at his disposal.
Sociedad lost the jewel in their crown at the end of this summer’s transfer window. Sixty million pounds was enough to move Swedish golden boy Alexander Isak away from the Basque club to the Premier League and Newcastle United.
Umar Sadiq came on as Isak’s replacement on deadline day and had a perfect start to the weekend, coming off the bench to nod home the equalizer on his club debut – he’ll be the one.
If he starts, Thursday represents a big night for Harry Maguire. Maguire will be tasked with taking care of the physical threat from Sadiq, who will be looking to take advantage of the fragile confidence the United captain currently plays with.
Maguire will be desperate for a solid performance; With Rapha Varane and Lisandro Martinez building an excellent rapport at the heart of Ten Hag’s defence, Maguire’s United career hangs in the balance.
The two teams have recently met in the Europa League.
In the round of 32 of the 2020/21 campaign, United put in a spectacular performance in the first leg away from home, defeating Sociedad 4-0 with a brace from Bruno Fernandes and the individual efforts of Marcus Rashford and Dan James doing damage.
In the second leg, the 0–0 draw at Old Trafford produced fewer fireworks. Still, he will be remembered for Shola Shoretire becoming the youngest player to feature for United in a European game.
Erik Ten Hag will be desperate to get off to a good start in the group, in order to finish qualifying as quickly as possible to save legs in a chaotic pre-World Cup schedule.
