Real Sociedad dealt ‘sensitive’ injury blow vs Man Utd, midfield star set to miss both games

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Manchester United have been better in Europe this season than in the Premier League.

During the group stages, Manchester United were the only team in the Europa League or Champions League to go unbeaten.

This placed United into the last 16, where the Europa League draw has set up a two-legged tie against Real Sociedad.

The fixtures take place on March 6 away from home and March 13 at Old Trafford for the second leg.

Real Sociedad hit by injury blow

Manchester United have been dealt serious injury problems in recent weeks, with Amad Diallo and Lisandro Martinez ruled out for the rest of the season.

Kobbie Mainoo is also set to miss both games, not expected back from injury until after the international break.

But the injuries are not exclusive to Manchester United, with Real Sociedad now hit by an injury blow of their own.

Midfielder Luka Sucic has sustained a knee injury that rules him out of both matches against Manchester United, along with their Copa del Rey semi-final with Real Madrid.

Spanish newspaper AS reports: “This is a very sensitive loss for the San Sebastian team, due to the role he plays in the midfield and because he was already going through his best form since he arrived at Real Sociedad.”

Luka Sucic has played in 27 games for Real Sociedad this season, and scored twice in his last Europa League match, a 5-2 victory over Midtjylland.

Real Sociedad and Manchester United recent history

This is the third time over the last five years Manchester United and Real Sociedad have met up in the Europa League.

The first was in knockout competition under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. United won 4-0 away from home, but it’s worth noting this game was played in Italy, rather than Spain. The second leg was a 0-0 draw.

The two teams met in the group stages under Erik ten Hag, losing 1-0 at Old Trafford, and winning 1-0 away from home, with Alejandro Garnacho scoring his first ever senior goal. He has already referenced this in reaction to the draw.

The lesson here is that Sociedad could present a stern test at Old Trafford, so United will need to take something from the away encounter in the first leg.