Manchester United will be hoping to advance to the quarter-finals of the Europa League when they welcome Real Sociedad to Old Trafford for the second-leg of their last-16 tie tonight, kick-off 8pm.
The two sides met in San Sebastián a week ago and played out a 1-1 draw, meaning everything is still to play for heading into tonight’s showdown. Sociedad earned themselves a draw last week after Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty to cancel out Joshua Zirkzee’s opener.
Sitting 14th in the Premier League table and out of both domestic cup competitions, United need to win the Europa League to salvage something from what has otherwise been a forgettable campaign. Winning the competition would secure Champions League qualification for next term.
Head coach Ruben Amorim has handed a full debut to Ayden Heaven this evening, giving him the nod on the left of the back-three ahead of Victor Lindelof. Manuel Ugarte has returned to the matchday squad but is only fit enough for a place on the bench.
United starting XI: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Heaven; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Zirkzee, Garnacho; Hojlund.
Substitutes: Mee, Harrison, Lindelof, Fredricson, Amass, Ugarte, Collyer, Eriksen, J. Fletcher, Scanlon.
Follow the LIVE blog below for all of the pre-match build-up, analysis and much more…
19:35George Smith
Head coach Ruben Amorim has said Ayden Heaven fully deserves the opportunity to make his first start for United against Real Sociedad tonight.
He has been named in the starting XI for the first time in his senior career and looks set to line up on the left of the back-three. He has previously made two substitute appearances for the Reds.
Amorim told MUTV:
“When you prove [yourself] in training and in games, you are an option to play any kind of game. We want to show our confidence in any player of our squad, and with all the problems that we have had in these last weeks, everyone has to be ready to cope with the games. He is doing really well and I am really excited to see him.”
(Image: MUTV.)
19:21George Smith
We are a little under 40 minutes away from kick-off at Old Trafford.
(Image: Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images.)
19:09George Smith
Rasmus Hojlund’s return to the starting XI tonight means Joshua Zirkzee is poised to start as one of the two No.10s alongside Alejandro Garnacho.
Zirkzee was excellent against Sociedad last week as the left-sided No.10 and, of course, opened the scoring with his first European goal of his senior career. His link up play means that he is much more effective when operating from a deeper position.
Sunday’s draw with Arsenal confirmed once and for all that he is not a No.9.
(Image: Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images.)
19:03Samuel Luckhurst
I have just looked up my piece from the pre-season game: “Hojlund was direct and domineering in his duel with the waifish 17-year-old Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven before shooting past the porous Karl Hein.” One didn’t go in too hard on the future United centre half.
What an incredible game football is that Heaven goes from that friendly to starting in United’s most important game since the 2017 Europa League final.
19:00Samuel Luckhurst
Ayden Heaven has started in a United match before. He was the feeble defender who was rolled by Rasmus Hojlund during Arsenal’s pre-season win in Los Angeles back in July. That highlight was never going to be republished by United’s media team after the club bought Heaven in January.
He has made an auspicious start to his United career, though. Sir Jim Ratcliffe even sounded impressed.
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
18:58George Smith
Casemiro has been given the nod to start in midfield alongside Bruno Fernandes tonight. Manuel Ugarte is only fit enough to start on the bench.
Casemiro has been booked twice in the Europa League so far this season and three yellow cards result in a one-match ban, meaning he is at risk of missing the first leg of United’s quarter-final tie against Lyon or FCSB if they make it through.
The yellow card count is not wiped out until the conclusion of the quarter-finals.
(Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images.)
18:56Samuel Luckhurst
As discussed on the podcast earlier this week, if/when Ayden Heaven makes a mistake, it’s no sweat. Gary Pallister had Maine Road in 1989, Jaap Stam the 1998 Charity Shield, Nemanja Vidic was involved in a 4-3 defeat at Blackburn and Lisandro Martinez was involved in the generational nadir of Brentford. Good and great United centre-backs have had starts ranging from the difficult to the disastrous. Rio Ferdinand got injured on his first appearance in a friendly against Boca Juniors in 2002.
18:53Tyrone Marshall
Martin Zubimendi back in for Real Sociedad tonight and that is a massive bonus for them. One of the best midfielders in Europe, he will bring a level of control that they struggled to establish in the first leg back in San Sebastian. He’s probably going to leave Sociedad in the summer and is likely to head to the Premier League, so he will want to impress tonight.
(Image: 2024 Sebastian Frej/MB Media)
18:51KEY EVENT
Real Sociedad have welcomed star midfielder Martín Zubimendi back into their starting XI for tonight’s game.
Eleven players, one goal. !!!#UEL pic.twitter.com/r8KOHPbqBB
— Real Sociedad (@RealSociedadEN) March 13, 2025
18:50Tyrone Marshall
James Scanlon makes the subs bench for the first time tonight. The 18-year-old played at full-back on the pre-season tour but is an attacking midfielder who could be well-suited to the No.10 role in this system.
He has yet to play a senior game for his club, but has won 10 caps for Gibraltar’s senior team. His younger brother Luca is also in United’s academy and James has family here tonight. His mum is part of the quarter that holds the Gibraltar national record for 4*100m relay, so he has sporting pedigree.
18:48Samuel Luckhurst
Ayden Heaven’s inclusion is a crowdpleaser. It’s the biggest test of his short professional life tonight but it’s the right call. Victor Lindelof has outstayed his welcome by three or four years and he was shaky at the weekend. Matthijs de Ligt should start in the middle of the back three tonight.
The team is otherwise as expected. It’s a team United fans can hardly complain about.
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
18:45KEY EVENT
United starting XI vs Real Sociedad: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Heaven; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Garnacho, Zirkzee, Hojlund.
Substitutes: Mee, Harrison, Lindelof, Fredricson, Amass, Ugarte, Collyer, Eriksen, J. Fletcher, Scanlon.
(Image: Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images.)
18:40Samuel Luckhurst
Patrick Dorgu did not field many questions yesterday, predictably, but his English was excellent (Scandinavians’ English is generally excellent) and he sounded quite assured. Leny Yoro sat next to Ruben Amorim in Bucharest and did not start but Dorgu seems to be a shoo-in for tonight’s XI.
The smart money would be on Noussair Mazraoui moving into the back three with Victor Lindelof and Matthijs de Ligt.
(Image: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images.)
18:35George Smith
The all-important team news from Old Trafford will be confirmed at 6.45pm.
We will bring you all of the all-important details as soon as we get them. Keep the blog locked for all the very latest.
(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images.)
18:30Samuel Luckhurst
Recalling Rasmus Hojlund would probably be the wise move tonight. Ruben Amorim got something of a reaction from him on Sunday with his movement for the chance that Gabriel thwarted. Jermain Defoe spoke about Hojlund’s ‘foot patterns’ after United’s loss at Tottenham and they were what you would want from a No.9 when he met Toby Collyer’s cross.
Yet his cameo will be better remembered for the pig’s ear he made of the first chance. His touch was poor, he was too slow and he didn’t get a shot off. A good striker has his wits about him and is aware where the opponent is. Hojlund did not have a clue where Declan Rice was
(Image: Jan Kruger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images.)
18:25Tyrone Marshall
We spoke to Christian Eriksen after Sunday’s draw with Arsenal and he was asked about the pressure on tonight’s game. It felt instructive that he didn’t try and downplay it.
He said:
“It’s massive, we know the pressure, we know the situation we’re in in the league. To get into Europe next season we have to win a lot of games in the league or go through the Europa League so we know there’s a lot of pressure on that game, but it also comes with being at this club. You play for trophies so we have to play well to go through.”
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
18:20George Smith
James Scanlon is one of a crop of youngsters to be included in the United squad this evening, and he will be dreaming of making his debut.
The attacker, 18, has been brilliant for United’s Under-18s this season, scoring 13 goals in 13 Under-18s Premier League appearances.
He has never previously been named in the matchday squad for the first-team.
(Image: MUTV.)
18:15George Smith
After starting Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal on the bench, it is highly likely Rasmus Hojlund will be reinstated to the starting XI this evening.
The Dane is now 20 games without a goal, last scoring when United defeated Viktoria Plzen 2-1 on December 12, but he has scored five times in the Europa League this season.
There would be no better time for him to end his drought than tonight.
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
18:10George Smith
United’s players started to arrive at Old Trafford for tonight’s game just after 4pm. Many of them appeared to be very focused, not least captain Bruno Fernandes, who did not stop and sign any autographs – and that is unusual.
We will have all of the team news for you from 6.45pm.
(Image: Jan Kruger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images.)
(Image: Jan Kruger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images.)
(Image: Jan Kruger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images.)
18:00Tyrone Marshall
United’s Europa League campaign has been a wild ride so far. Nine games, three different managers, the chaotic matches in Porto and Istanbul, the drama against Rangers, Noussair Mazraoui as a No. 10. Incredibly, United haven’t actually lost in this competition so far this season.
That wouldn’t guarantee them going through tonight but they’ve saved some of their more coherent performances from Europe and that is encouraging.
17:55George Smith
In the event of United getting the job done this evening, they will face either Lyon or FCSB in the quarter-finals next month.
Lyon already look a strong bet to reach the last-eight after beating FCSB 3-1 in Romania in last week’s first leg. Just like United’s clash with Real Sociedad tonight, that game kicks-off at 8pm GMT.
The quarter-final and semi-final draws for this season’s Europa League were made at the same time as the last-16 draw last month.
(Image: Alex Nicodim/NurPhoto via Getty Images.)
17:45George Smith
It is worth remembering that in the event of tonight’s game being level after 90 minutes both extra-time and penalties could be required to settle this last-16 tie.
The tie is level pegging at 1-1 following last week’s first leg in Spain, meaning another draw this evening would require at least an additional 30 minutes.
17:35Tyrone Marshall
Thursday night football is a source of mickey taking for rival fans but how United could do with keeping their midweek engagements going this season. Exit this competition tonight and their season will be over before the clocks go forward. Two weeks before the clocks go forward, in fact.
We’ve heard Sir Jim Ratcliffe paint a bleak picture of United’s finances this week while unveiling a £2bn stadium plan and it’s clear somehow getting into next season’s Champions League would be game-changing. There’s plenty of pressure riding on this one tonight.
(Image: S. Mellar/FC Bayern via Getty Images.)
17:30George Smith
Courtesy of Grosvenor Sport, here are this evening’s pre-match odds:
- United – 19/20
- Draw – 23/10
- Real Sociedad – 13/4
17:25Samuel Luckhurst
United were good for 70 minutes in San Sebastián and very good in the second half against Arsenal. Even for a team that is goal-shy, they should back themselves tonight after a progressive week last week.
On United’s goals output: they have only scored at least four goals against three teams this season. Barnsley, Leicester and Everton have since sacked their manager.
17:15George Smith
United have announced that following a request from fan group The Red Army (TRA), there will be a smoke pyro display just prior to the teams’ walkout this evening.
Real Sociedad pre-match build-up
Turnstiles will open from 6pm tonight. Following a request from our fan group @TraMufc, which they have generously funded, there will be a smoke pyro display just prior to team walkout.
A Devils surfer banner will be unfurled across the…
— Manchester United Matchday (@ManUtdMatchday) March 13, 2025
17:05Samuel Luckhurst
The atmosphere here on Sunday, specifically the first 15 minutes of the second half, was one of the most uplifting of the season. Crowd volume at Old Trafford in the Europa League is normally amplified by the visiting supporters but United fans have got to provide raucous backing tonight. The significance of the match demands it.
Coincidentally, the last team to win at Old Trafford in the Europa League was Real Sociedad in September 2022. They got a dodgy penalty that night, too.
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
17:00George Smith
Ahead of tonight’s game, we’re inviting you to name the team you would like to see Ruben Amorim name this evening.
Simply select your XI by using the interactive widget below:
16:50KEY EVENT
United’s players started to arrive at Old Trafford just under an hour ago for tonight’s game.
Midfield enforcer Manuel Ugarte was among the pre-match arrivals, meaning he is going to be included in the matchday squad this evening in some capacity. He has missed the last two games through injury.
Youngsters Tyler Fredricson, Harry Amass, Jack Fletcher and James Scanlon are also poised to be included.
Confirmed squad members:
Goalkeepers: Andre Onana,Dermot Mee, Elyh Harrison.
Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Victor Lindelof, Ayden Heaven, Tyler Fredricson, Patrick Dorgu, Harry Amass.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Christian Eriksen, Toby Collyer, James Scanlon, Jack Fletcher, Bruno Fernandes.
Attackers: Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee.
Click here to read the full story.
(Image: MUTV.)
16:45George Smith
United head into tonight’s second leg as the only remaining unbeaten team in either the Champions League or the Europa League this season.
With that said, here is a reminder of their Europa League results thus far:
League phase:
- United 1-1 FC Twente
- FC Porto 3-3 United
- Fenerbahce 1-1 United
- United 2-0 PAOK
- United 3-2 Bodo/Glimt
- Viktoria Plzen 1-2 United
- United 2-1 Rangers
- FCSB 0-2 United
Round-of-16:
(Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images.)
