Man United lineup vs. Real Sociedad: Predicted XI for Europa League last-16 first-leg clash

3 Min Read

Manchester United could be without up to 11 players for Thursday’s Europa League last-16 first-leg clash with Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena.

Lisandro Martinez (knee) and Amad Diallo (ankle) are both ruled out for the rest of the season, while Kobbie Mainoo (calf), Luke Shaw (hamstring), Mason Mount, Altay Bayindir (both unspecified), Jonny Evans (muscle) and Toby Collyer (knock) all remain in the treatment room.

Harry Maguire (knock) and backup goalkeeper Tom Heaton (unspecified) are both doubtful, with the former sustaining his issue in last weekend’s defeat to Fulham in the FA Cup fifth round – a 4-3 loss on penalties at Old Trafford.

The potential absence of Maguire could see Victor Lindelof handed a start at centre-back alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro, or Noussair Mazraoui could move from wing-back into the three-man defence.

Mazraoui could be dropped if he does not play as a central defender, as Ruben Amorim is likely to recall left wing-back Patrick Dorgu, who is available to make his European debut for Man United after serving the first of a three-game domestic suspension last weekend, while Diogo Dalot is set to start on the right flank.

Amorim may stick with Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte in centre-midfield, unless he decided to restore Casemiro to his starting lineup, which could therefore see Fernandes pushed forward into the front three alongside out-of-form strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.

At least one of Hojlund or Zirkzee is expected to start as 17-year-old Chido Obi-Martin is ineligible after he was not registered into Man United’s Europa League squad that was submitted last month, while Alejandro Garnacho will be pushing to return after shaking off a knock to feature as a substitute last time out.

Manchester United possible starting lineup: Onana; De Ligt, Lindelof, Yoro; Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Garnacho, Fernandes; Zirkzee

> Click here to see how Real Sociedad could line up for this contest

ID:567103:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5217:

No Data Analysis info

Share This Article
Exit mobile version