Real Sociedad handed huge injury blow ahead of Manchester United Europa League clash

Real Sociedad have been handed a huge injury blow ahead of their clash with Manchester United in the Europa League round of 16.

United have been drawn to face the La Liga side in the knockout stages of the revamped competition after they secured a third-place finish in the league phase. Sociedad booked their place in the last-16 when they defeated FC Midtjylland 7-3 on aggregate in a play-off round.

Ruben Amorim's side know it will be difficult to make it to the quarter-finals. Sociedad are enjoying a successful season that has seen them 8th in La Liga and into the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. The tough test might be made slightly easier by the early team news, though. Sociedad are set to be without a key player for both of their matches against United and their clashes with Real Madrid and Barcelona this week.

Real Sociedad handed huge injury blow

Real Sociedad will be without star midfielder Luka Sucic for the next few matches after he missed their 3-0 home win over Leganes with a knee injury. Sucic has made 27 appearances across all competitions this season and netted twice in their 5-2 victory against Midtjylland in the second leg last week.

A report from Spanish outlet AS read: “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.”

United first face Sociedad away from home on Thursday 6 March, before hosting them at Old Trafford in the second leg the following week on Thursday 13 March. The winners of the quarter-final tie will face either FCSB or Lyon in the quarter-finals.

Manchester United will be without a few players themselves

Manchester United are still coping with an injury crisis of their own and are set to be without a few stars for their matches against Real Sociedad. Lisandro Martinez and Amad Diallo have both been ruled out of action for the remainder of the season, with the Argentine defender also in contention to miss the rest of the calendar year.

Kobbie Mainoo is not expected to return until after the March international break, so will not feature of either of the two legs, while Luke Shaw and Mason Mount are yet to return from their respective injury setbacks. Amorim did not have a specific date in mind for the return of Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton and Jonny Evans, though Toby Collyer is expected to be the next player available from injury.

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