Manchester United have been impressive lately and will be looking to book their place at the last 16 of the Europa League when they host Real Sociedad on Thursday. United go to the second leg of the tie leading 4-0 from the earlier encounter, with the Spaniards having all to do. Ahead of this clash at Old Trafford, United have scored 12 goals in their last five matches, and conceded five, but have just two clean sheets in the last five. Bruno Fernandes has been the team’s star in recent times, with five goals in five matches, including two against Sociedad. He has been key in the team’s run, with the English giants currently failing to score in just three of their last 15 matches. Coming from a 3-1 win over Newcastle United, the hosts are looking to go eight unbeaten. They have six wins in eight Europa League matches and scored 13 goals in the last five while conceding just three. In their last 24 Europa League matches, Manchester United have lost just twice. At home, they have six straight wins in this competition and are unbeaten in 15.
It hasn’t been all good for Spanish sides in the European competitions’ knockout rounds and Sociedad hope they can change the narrative. They responded to their 4-0 loss to Manchester United with a resounding 4-0 win over Alaves in La Liga. It is this same score line, at the least, that they need to be able to advance in Europa League. However, they’ve scored more than a goal in just one of their last eight Europa League matches. The loss to United was their first in five matches in all competitions, but they have scored in 11 of 12 games. The Spaniards know they need to up their game but a bad away run limits the possibility that they can stage an upset here. They have managed just three away wins in the last 12 matches. Meanwhile, they are without a win in the last four Europa League matches and have just two wins and three clean sheets in the last 10.
