Real Sociedad vs Manchester United Prediction: More away troubles for Red Devils

Manchester United resume their quest for Europa League glory when they travel to Spain on Thursday evening (17:45, live on TNT Sports 1) to face Real Sociedad in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Ruben Amorim's side are looking to bounce back from the weekend's FA Cup defeat to Fulham, while the hosts were comfortably beaten by Barcelona last time out. Read on for my Real Sociedad vs Manchester United predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

The hosts will be without Jon Pacheco and Arsen Zakharyan, while Alvaro Odriozola remains a doubt for Thursday's contest. However, both Sheraldo Becker and Takefusa Kubo are available for selection after serving domestic suspensions.

Martin Zubimendi and Jon Aramburu both missed the second leg of the play-off triumph over FC Midtjylland and should return to the fold here, too.

As for United, Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw Jonny Evans, Toby Collyer and Altay Bayindir all remain sidelined with injuries.

Harry Maguire is a doubt for Thursday, which could see Victor Lindelof handed a rare start alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro in central defence, while Patrick Dorgu is available to make his European debut for the Red Devils, after serving the first of his three-game ban at the weekend.

Chido Obi is ineligible to feature after he wasn't registered into United's Europa League squad last month.

Real Sociedad vs Manchester United Odds

The hosts are 11/10 to secure a first-leg victory, giving them an implied win probability of 47.6%, with the draw currently priced up at 11/5 and a United win can be backed at 5/2.

Orri Oskarsson leads the anytime goalscorer market at 9/5, while Rasmus Hojlund is shortest-priced for the visitors at 11/4.

Real Sociedad to win @ 11/10

The two teams last met in the Europa League group stage back in 2022, with United narrowly winning 1-0 away from home. I can't see a repeat of that scoreline happening here given the inconsistencies of both teams.

The hosts are not in great form having lost their last two games domestically without scoring, albeit against Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Meanwhile, United's troubles remain well-documented as they were dumped out of the FA Cup at the weekend by Fulham and they've gone six games without a clean sheet, winning just twice during that run.

Sociedad have won 11 of their last 14 at home, as well as tasting victory in their last four home encounters in this competition. This United side tend to struggle when faced with adversity so if the hosts are quick out of the blocks, then I think they'll take a first-leg lead back to Manchester at 11/10.

Bet Builder - Both teams to score - no and under 2.5 goals @ 6/5

None of the last four head-to-heads between the pair have seen both teams score, so that is the first angle of my bet builder.

I think the Red Devils will struggle to trouble the hosts here, and Sociedad will be smelling blood given United's recent troubles, sensing a huge opportunity to take a lead back to England. United also went to extra time on Sunday against Fulham, and may well be feeling the effects here.

In the six games Sociedad have played in the last 16 or later in European competitions under Imanol Alguacil, just 11 goals have been scored overall. When you add to the equation that United haven't led at half-time in any of their last 21 matches, I'm not expecting a goal fest.

Offers

Double Delight & Hat-trick Heaven: Get double or treble the odds if your winning First Goalscorer bet scores a 2nd and 3rd

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.