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Manchester United are in San Sebastian tonight for the first leg of their last-16 Europa League clash with Real Sociedad.
It’s last chance saloon for Ruben Amorim’s side, who were knocked out of the FA Cup in the fifth round on Sunday. Their loss to Fulham, which went to penalties, brought an end to their cup title defence and means the Europa League is their final hope for silverware this season.
Happily for Amorim, the Europa League has been one slightly brighter spot in the Red Devils’ underwhelming season. They finished third in the league phase and are the only unbeaten team left in the competition, while their opponents come into this tie reeling from 1-0 and 4-0 defeats to Real Madrid and Barcelona in their last two matches.
Injuries and a smaller squad could factor into how tonight’s match plays out but if United can avoid defeat they’ll have a strong chance at progressing from the tie with the second leg at Old Trafford.
Follow all the Champions League action with our live blog below:
United on target
Man Utd are averaging 18.8 shots per game in the Europa League this season, the most of any side still in the competition and their best ratio in a European season on record (since 2003-04).
They also have the highest average sequence time (12.9 seconds), passes per sequence (4.5) and possession (61.2%).
Mike Jones6 March 2025 17:30
Man Utd’s success in Spain
Man Utd have lost just one of their last eight away games against Spanish opposition in Europe (W5 D2),
However that defeat did come in their most recent such encounter, losing 3-0 at Sevilla in the second leg of the 2022-23 Europa League quarter final.
Mike Jones6 March 2025 17:25
Fernandes on facing Sociedad
Bruno Fernandes said: “It’s going to be a tough one. A Spanish team that plays brilliant football.
“Very, very good players up front, very (good) quality coming out from the back, so we need to be fresh to run again, because they will make us run and then when we have the ball we have to make them run too.
“We look forward now to the rest of the season, obviously with the main focus now on the next game in a competition where we want to go forward.
“It’s one of our goals for this season to try and get a trophy.”
Mike Jones6 March 2025 17:20
Bruno Fernandes urges Manchester United to focus on Europa League after FA Cup exit
United skipper Fernandes took the game to extra time by brilliantly cancelling out Calvin Bassey’s header, with it ending 1-1 after 120 minutes before Fulham won 4-3 on spot-kicks courtesy of two Bernd Leno saves.
Mike Jones6 March 2025 17:15
A poor knockout record
Real Sociedad have failed to progress from any of their previous four last 16 ties in major European competition, since knocking German side 1. FC Köln out of the Uefa Cup back in 1988-89.
Mike Jones6 March 2025 17:10
Can Sociedad break their duck?
Real Sociedad have never beaten an English side on home soil in Europe (D1 L3), failing to score in each of the last three matches (all against Man Utd).
They are, however, one of six sides to score in 100% of their Europa League games this season (10/10), with Man Utd also doing so (8/8).
Mike Jones6 March 2025 17:05
Sociedad vs Man Utd
Real Sociedad have won just one of their previous six European encounters against Manchester United (D2 L3).
That win coming in the group stage of this competition at Old Trafford in September 2022.
They won that game 1-0 courtesy of a Brais Méndez penalty, which remains their only goal against them.
Mike Jones6 March 2025 17:00
Ruben Amorim sends warning to Man Utd squad ahead of summer transfer window
Ruben Amorim said he will be honest with his players about their futures in the summer as he prepares for the possibility of a clearout.
The Manchester United head coach claimed he is “not ruthless” but is readying himself for what he insists will not be difficult conversations if he has to tell some of them he wants them to move on.
Mike Jones6 March 2025 16:55
Sociedad turning good in Europe?
Real Sociedad recorded their biggest victory in the Europa League so far this season with a 5-2 win against Midtjylland in their knockout round play-off second leg.
Mike Jones6 March 2025 16:50
Amorim on how United will cope despite injuries
“We have a lot of experience,” The Manchester United boss said. “Matthijs (de Ligt) is a young player but he has a lot of experience.
“We are ready because the good thing to play in the Premier League is we are ready for everything.
“It’s a big challenge, we are going to face a very good team, really intense, with a lot of experienced, international players. But we are ready because we face that every weekend.”
Mike Jones6 March 2025 16:45