Manchester United and Real Sociedad battle it out for a place in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Manchester United vs Real Sociedad best bets
- Draw – 49/20 with Casumo
- Real Sociedad to score first – 15/8 with Paddy Power
- Bruno Fernandes to score any time – 9/4 with Betfred
Manchester United vs Real Sociedad odds
Find the latest match odds for Manchester United vs Real Sociedad. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
Manchester United vs Real Sociedad predictions
Manchester United can still salvage something from what has mostly been a dismal season.
The Red Devils sit 14th in the Premier League table with just 10 rounds of fixtures remaining. They are out of the FA Cup and the EFL Cup, so domestic silverware is off the table.
Yet it is too early to despair. Manchester United are still fighting in the Europa League. The bookies have them down as third-favourites to win this tournament, which would provide both a trophy and a place in next season’s edition of the Champions League.
First they must get past Real Sociedad in the round of 16. The two teams drew 1-1 in the first leg last week, so the tie is still in the balance.
That was a good result for United. La Real finished sixth in La Liga last season and reached the knockout phase of the Champions League, so they are no pushovers.
Granted, Imanol Alguacil’s side are not doing quite so well this time around. They are in the bottom half of Spain’s top tier as things stand. Yet United achieved their primary objective of avoiding defeat at the Reale Arena.
It was an even game for the most part. Joshua Zirkzee gave United the lead shortly before the hour mark, with Mikel Oyarzabal restoring parity for the hosts in the 70th minute.
Both teams took 13 shots each and neither Real Sociedad nor United did quite enough to beat the other.
There were a few more positive signs for Ruben Amorim’s charges at the weekend. United were poor in the first half of their clash with Arsenal, yet they still took the lead via a Bruno Fernandes free-kick.
United then improved in the second period and they could easily have beaten the Premier League’s second-placed team on another day. There is still a long way to go at Old Trafford, but United have at least shown a bit of fight and desire in their last couple of performances.
They will probably need more than that to shake off Real Sociedad, though, and the Spanish side may well relish being underdogs.
“It’s going to be a different game at Old Trafford and the pressure is going to be on us. We have to be ready,” said Amorim after the first game.
Manchester United vs Real Sociedad betting tips
The aggregate score is 1-1 as Manchester United get ready to entertain Real Sociedad.
Draw
For all that Manchester United have demonstrated a bit of spirit of late, they are still a mediocre team.
United have won just one of their last six games in all competitions, and that was against an Ipswich Town outfit that will surely be playing Championship football in a few months’ time.
They have struggled at Old Trafford throughout the campaign. They have not won a home Premier League game against a side outside the bottom three since December 1.
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Sure, Real Sociedad are not pulling up any trees in 2024/25 either. Yet United’s confidence is fragile and, as Amorim hinted at, playing on familiar soil brings its own pressure.
La Real might not have quite enough to triumph in 90 minutes, but we reckon this one will go to extra time.
Tip a draw at 49/20 with Casumo
Real Sociedad to score first
To say that Manchester United tend to be slow starters on home turf would be an understatement.
This is a team that hits the ground trudging rather than running when playing in front of their own supporters.
United rank a lowly 16th in the Premier League first-half table when only home matches are taken into account.
Meanwhile the opening goal of the game has gone to the visitors to Old Trafford 10 times out of 15.
All of which suggests that Real Sociedad are attractively priced to draw first blood on Thursday.
Back Real Sociedad to score first at 15/8 with Paddy Power
Bruno Fernandes to score any time
Bruno Fernandes has come in for some criticism of late, but that feels grossly unfair. Without him, Manchester United would be in an even worse state.
Fernandes has been largely excellent in recent outings despite the fact there is no ideal position for him in Amorim’s non-negotiable 3-4-3 formation.
The Portugal international has been deployed as a central midfielder in his last few appearances. Even in that role, Fernandes is United’s primary source of goals.
His set-piece prowess was clear for all to see against Arsenal on Sunday, and Fernandes continues to pose a threat from open play too.
Do not be surprised if he comes up trumps for the Red Devils. It would not be the first time.
Choose Bruno Fernandes to score any time at 9/4 with Betfred
How to watch Manchester United vs Real Sociedad
- Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England.
- Date and time: Thursday 13th March, 8pm.
- How to watch: TNT Sports 1.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
- Premier League winner predictions
- Premier League top scorer odds
- Premier League relegation odds
- Champions League winner odds
- Championship promotion odds
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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