MANCHESTER UNITED take on Real Sociedad tonight in their final Europa League group clash – and they're hoping to finish top.
But Sociedad have won all of their games so far and look set to finish at the summit of Group E, having beaten United at Old Trafford on match day one.
- Start time: 5.45pm
- TV/Live stream: BT Sport 1
- Real Sociedad XI: To follow
- Man Utd XI: To follow
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When is Real Sociedad vs Manchester United?
- Real Sociedad roll out the red carpet for Manchester United on Thursday, November 3.
- It is scheduled to kick off at 5:45pm UK time – 6:45pm local time.
- Reale Arena in San Sebastian, Spain is the chosen venue for this match and it can host approximately 39,500.
- Sociedad stunned United 1-0 the last time the sides met in September.
What TV channel is Real Sociedad vs Manchester United on and can I live stream it?
- Real Sociedad vs Manchester United will be broadcasted LIVE on BT Sport 1 in the UK.
- Coverage is set to commence from 5:15pm UK time – 30 minutes before kick-off.
- Subscription holders of BT Sport can stream the entire action live via the BT Sport website or BT Sport app.
What is the team news?
Imanol Alguacil has been severely hit with injury problems ahead of this top of the table clash against Manchester United.
The Sociedad boss is expected to be without Mikel Oyarzabal, Umar Sadiq, Mohamed-Ali-Cho, Ander Martin and former Manchester City icon David Silva.
Takefusa Kubo's dislocated shoulder from last week has also made him one of the few doubts alongside Ander Barrenetxea, Aihen Munoz and Alex Sola.
Elsewhere, Erik Ten Hag has some injury setbacks of his own as the United boss will continue to be without Raphael Varane, Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams.
However, Antony, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Anthony Martial could all return to the fold having missed out on the West Ham win.
- Kieran Davies
Form is temporary, class is permanent
Real Sociedad are looking to bounce back from two consecutive La Liga defeats, with the chance to finish the group stages with a 100% record.
They had previously won five on the bounce at home before the defeat by Real Betis, but Sociedad are now out to make it three home wins in a row in Europe for the first time since 1998/99.
Imanol Alguacil's side will be looking to book their place in the round of 16 by getting back to winning ways this evening.
- Kieran Davies
Spaniards looking to maintain perfect record
Real Sociedad go into this game with five wins from five games and boast the best defensive record in the competition having only conceded one goal.
Victory this evening would give them a perfect 18 points in the group.
To progress, all Sociedad need to do is to avoid defeat by more than one goal.
- Kieran Davies
Boss lays out United plans
Erik ten Hag spoke about what his team need to achieve in Spain this evening:
We know what we have to do in Real Sociedad: we have to win there with two goals difference. We have to score two goals, minimum, and don't concede one. The first game, we lost, crazy penalty. So we have to deal with that crazy penalty, we have to turn it around, so that demands a big performance there, demands a winning attitude.
Erik ten HagMan Utd
- Kieran Davies
How the group works
The group winners progress straight to the ‘round of 16’ so victory this evening is key for both teams, United needing to win by at least two goals.
The team in second place in the group will play an extra knockout round play-off over two legs against one of the teams demoted from the Champions League group stages, an outcome United will hope to avoid.
Some big European names finished in third place in the Champions League, meaning they now await all the group runners-up.
- Kieran Davies
Welcome to Real Sociedad vs Man Utd
Real Sociedad welcome Man Utd to the Anoeta Stadium this evening with top spot in Group E on the line, Imanol Alguacil’s side hold a three-point lead over the Red Devils and simply need to avoid defeat on their own patch to consign the visitors to a knockout round play-off tie.
The Spanish side currently have a packed treatment room with Mikel Oyarzabal, Umar Sadiq, Mohamed-Ali Cho, David Silva and Ander Martin are all guaranteed absentees tonight.
Takefusa Kubo dislocated his shoulder in the win against Omonia last week is not involved along with Ander Barrenetxea and Aihen Munoz, so Alguacil is not blessed with options to rotate.
Alexander Sorloth will lead the line for injury-hit Sociedad, but Alguacil can still bring in fresh legs in the form of Igor Zubeldia and Ander Guevara.
Man Utd are without Raphael Varane, Alex Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams who did not travel with the squad.
Antony (knock), Anthony Martial (back) and Jadon Sancho (illness) are all absent for this deciding game against Real Sociedad.
Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have recovered from their own problems to join the squad with Anthony Elanga expected to capitalise on the injuries to start this evening.
With the importance of tonight’s game, Marcus Rashford is expected to play on the left with Cristiano Ronaldo spearheading the attack.
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