Manchester United vs Real Sociedad

Old Trafford forms the backdrop as Manchester United and Real Sociedad meet in a handsomely-looking Europa League Group E curtain-raiser.

A resurgent Manchester United embark on their third Europa League campaign in five seasons in high spirits after an overwhelming 3-1 home victory over Arsenal extended their winning Premier League streak to four matches. It’s too early to talk about long-term recovery, yet the ‘Red Devils’ enter Europe’s second-tier competition knowing that lifting the title provides an alternative route back into the Champions League. Sociedad’s upcoming visit to the Theatre of Dreams is a fantastic opportunity for new manager Erik ten Hag to make his European debut as Man Utd manager on a high. Indeed, the Premier League heavyweights have kept their La Liga counterparts goalless in all four previous meetings in major European competitions (W2, D2). Yet, there’s no room for complacency, as Man Utd’s decent run against Sociedad forms part of their indifferent ten-match Europa League record against Spanish sides (W4, D2, L4).

In the meantime, visiting Real Sociedad are bracing themselves for a fourth successive Europa League group stage campaign, having progressed into the knockouts twice at the last three attempts. Imanol Alguacil’s side fought back to hold Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 weekend draw in La Liga to bolster their spirits ahead of this trip. Sociedad’s proneness for stalemates has been dominating their recent continental travels, with five of their last seven Europa League away matches ending level (W1, L1). ‘La Real’ wouldn’t mind another share of the spoils, knowing they have never triumphed against English adversaries in major European competitions (D2, L4), scoring just once across those six encounters. But there’s a silver lining, as Alguacil’s men have won both La Liga away games via an identical 1-0 scoreline this term, suggesting they could be hard to crack on a good day.