Manchester United travel to San Sebastian today to face Real Sociedad in what could be a defining moment in their season.
After falling to Fulham in the FA Cup last Sunday and their poor league form, United suddenly have all their eggs in the Europa League basket.
They have played Real Sociedad six times in their history with the Spaniards only winning once, a 0-1 victory at Old Trafford in 2022.
The Red Devils have won their last two trips to the Basque city 4-0 in 2021 and 1-0 in 2022.
Here are three storylines to sink your teeth into.
Real Sociedad’s poor record against English sides
The Spaniards are a tough team to face in the last 16 of the Europa League but they do not have the most inspiring record against English sides.
The BBC report that “Real Sociedad have never beaten an English side on home soil in Europe, drawing one and losing three.”
They have also failed to score in each of the last three matches of this kind, which have all been against Manchester United.
They also lost 1-3 at home against Liverpool in the 1975/76 UEFA Cup and were thrashed 6-0 at Anfield in the corresponding fixture.
United fans will desperately be hoping history repeats itself this evening.
The Red Devils’ recent joy in Spain
Historically, Spanish sides have been a tough nut to crack for United in Europe, as they have only won 21 out of 70 matches against them.
Nonetheless, this has not really been the case recently, especially away from home.
The BBC also report that “Man Utd have lost just one of their last eight away games against Spanish opposition in Europe, winning five and drawing two.”
They beat Villarreal 2-0 away from home in 2021 and drew with FC Barcelona 2-2 before beating Real Betis 1-0 in the 2022/2023 Europa League.
Their last defeat did come in their most recent match in Spain, when they were thrashed 3-0 by Sevilla as they meekly exited the Europa League quarter-final in 2023.
There should be goals
While United have suffered a paucity of goals in the Premier League, they have been relatively free-flowing in the Europa League.
Real Sociedad have scored in all ten of their European games this season and United have also found the back of the net in all eight of their league matches.
“Man Utd are averaging 18.8 shots per game in the UEFA 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 boast the highest possession percentages of 61.2% in the competition.
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
