Real Sociedad has good chance of beating Man Utd as Athletic returns to Rome in Europa League

MADRID, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Real Sociedad has the chance to take a step towards the quarterfinals of the Europa League when the team from San Sebastian faces a struggling Manchester United in the Reale Arena on Thursday evening.

Real Sociedad goes into the game after a 4-0 defeat away to FC Barcelona, which was conditioned by the 17th minute red card shown to defender Aritz Elustondo. It's not the first time the team has suffered an early red card, with Igor Zubeldia also been shown an early red card in a recent trip to play Betis and Aihen Munoz leaving his side with 10 away to Lazio in the last Europa League group game.

Home coach Imanol Alguacil has stressed the importance of not giving his side's rival an early advantage with rash challenges.

He will be able to welcome Take Kubo and Sheraldo Becker into his side, and Kubo especially should boost the Real Sociedad attack against a rival whose season hit another low point on Sunday with an exit from the FA Cup on penalties to Fulham.

The FA Cup defeat means winning the Europa League is Manchester United's only chance of a trophy (and of playing in Europe next season), but Ruben Amorim's side is struggling for any kind of consistence, with the players looking slow in defense, while struggling to score.

Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are both out of form in attack, while 17-year-old Chido Obi-Martin, who has looked lively in recent matches, isn't included in United's Europa League squad, leaving winger Alejandro Garnacho as his side's main attacking threat from open play.

If Real Sociedad can avoid conceding free kicks and corners near the penalty area, half of the job will be done.

Athletic Club Bilbao travels to play Roma on Thursday. Roma has improved since the return of Claudio Ranieri to the dugout, but Athletic has also gained European experience since September and has key player Oihan Sancet back in the squad after a muscle injury kept him out of its narrow defeat to Atletico Madrid at the weekend. ■