Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Real Sociedad
Match Time & Date:
06/03/2025
18:45
Prediction: 1-0
Manchester United
Reale Arena will be packed when Real Sociedad and Manchester United lock horns in the Europa League last 16, first leg on Thursday evening. La Real suffered a 4-0 loss to Barcelona at the weekend, but it has to be noted that captain Aritz Elustondo was sent off after just 17 minutes. The good news for the hosts is that all Takefusa Kubo, Sheraldo Becker, and Nayef Aguerd are back from their La Liga bans. Croatian midfielder Luka Sucic, though, remains in the recovery room.
The Red Devils, on the other hand, suffered a heart-breaking loss to Fulham in the FA Cup last 16. As Ruben Amorim’s men are low on confidence ahead of the trip to San Sebastian, we are tempted to place our bets on the Basque outfit. Winger Alejandro Garnacho is pushing for a recall to Man Utd’s starting XI, while all Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Jonny Evans, and Kobbie Mainoo remain in the recovery room.
Highlighted Player (Mikel Oyarzabal):
Intelligence is not an attribute you will find in Mikel Oyarzabal’s stats with Real Sociedad but this tricky winger is a highly knowledgeable winger who will use both brain and feet while playing. For a player born in Eibar, who made his first steps in his hometown club, it was always going to be a choice between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad for Oyarzabal.
La Real saw their chance and grabbed this gem of a player at a young age, helping him develop into a proper professional throughout their youth ranks. Mikel Oyarzabal has spent the entirety of his senior career with the Basque behemoths where he’d use his ability to fill in a number of positions up top much to his own benefit.
Oyarzabal’s positioning and movement are work of a tactical genius, whereas it is his nous to find details to exploit that best define him as a player. Having come through the youth categories of the Spanish national team, Oyarzabal also has a senior cap next to his name. It was in 2016 that he also represented the Basque region, scoring on his debut to cap a 3-1 win over Tunisia.
Highlighted Team (Manchester United):
Over the years Manchester United have established themselves as one of the greatest clubs in world football. The Red Devils have won three European Cup (Champions League) trophies and they have clinched no less than 20 Premier League titles.
A number of top-class players were part of Manchester United in the past, but, no doubt, the club’s biggest legend is coach Sir Alex Ferguson, who was in charge of the team for 26 years. During Alex Ferguson’s spell at Old Trafford the club won a number of trophies, but the Red Devils have been struggling in all competitions ever since he retired. Louis van Gaal helped Manchester United win the FA Cup trophy in the 2015/2016 season, with Jese Lingard scoring the winner in the 2-1 triumph over Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium.
The likes of Bobby Charlton, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, George Best and Eric Cantona are the football stars that graced Old Trafford for Manchester United.
Club Brugge
Aston Villa
Borussia Dortmund
Lille
PSV
Arsenal 
Real Madrid 
Atletico Madrid 
Feyenoord
Inter
Bayern Munich 
Bayer Leverkusen 
