3 hours ago
1
Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
Ruben Amorim talks to TNT Sports. “We need to be really strong … especially at the beginning of the game … it will be really intense … they are ready … we have tried to manage the load … I know in the second half we will feel it a little bit [after extra time in the FA Cup last weekend] … we are excited to be here … we can cope with the physicality of the game … we watch the opponent and try to see the spaces … they put a high line and [Rasmus Højlund] can use this space … he needs to enjoy again playing football … to stay focused on the small things … he will be OK … we need possession of the ball … if we have the ball it is impossible to score against us … if we lose it in the build-up they are really strong and fast to go to the goal … we are prepared for that … we need to improve the way we have possession … that is the main focus.”
That aforementioned 4-0 win for United in 2021, then. You wouldn’t think Sociedad think of that rout fondly, but they do. Kind of. “They overran us so clearly; the difference was huge,” their keeper Alex Remiro explains. “We could compete in terms of play but physically they were better than us in everything. It finished 4-0 but it could have been seven or eight. We were awful. And watching them it was like: ‘Bloody hell, this is …’ It was: ‘Wow!’ … From that game, from that loss, we started to place more stress on the duels.”
Six weeks later, Real beat arch rivals Bilbao in the cup final, their first silverware in 34 years. United’s display of tough love forms just one part of this illuminating interview with the Sociedad stopper. Yet another Sid Lowe gem.
Manchester United make three changes to the side that started the FA Cup defeat to Fulham. Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte are injured, while Christan Eriksen drops to the bench. Patrick Dorgu, Casemiro and Alejandro Garnacho take their places.
Hosts Real Sociedad must do without star midfielder Martín Zubimendi, who is ill. But they’re boosted by the return of captain and leading goalscorer Mikel Oyarzabal.
The teams
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Elustondo, Aguerd, Zubeldia, Munoz, Sucic, Turrientes, Mendez, Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea.
Subs: Marrero, Oskarsson, Becker, Lopez, Olasagasti, Gomez, Traore, Aramburu, Marin, Martin, Beitia, Mariezkurrena.
Manchester United: Onana, Mazraoui, de Ligt, Yoro, Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu, Zirkzee, Hojlund, Garnacho.
Subs: Harrison, Lindelof, Eriksen, Heaven, Amass, Collyer, Mee.
Referee: Ivan Kruzliak (Slovakia).
Preamble
Manchester United are back, baby! No, not like that, unfortunately for their long-suffering fans. They are back in San Sebastian, though, where they’ll fancy themselves to keep their season alive. United won at Anoeta in 2022 thanks to Alejandro Garnacho’s first goal for the club; they drew there in 2013 despite Marouane Fellaini getting himself sent off. They also routed the Basques 4-0 away in 2021, albeit in Turin thanks to Covid. So their record on the road against Erreala is very good indeed.
That should give them succour, after their latest dispiriting performance against Fulham in the FA Cup last weekend. They’ll also be thankful that Sociedad aren’t quite up to their recent standards, languishing in mid-table in La Liga and coming off the back of a 4-0 thrashing at Barcelona. Although ninth place when compared to United’s 14th in the Premier … but let’s not belabour the point or put the boot in while the Red Devils are down. Suffice to say this could go either way, the current-form guide being of bugger all use, but history suggests United have a chance here to get things moving in the right direction again, and hold onto those Europa League dreams. Kick-off is at 5.45pm GMT. It’s on!
