Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad: Prediction, Team News and Key Battles

The Champions League has provided David Moyes with something of a respite this season. 

With four points from their opening two games, Manchester United sit level at the top of Group A with Shakhtar Donetsk after the sides drew 1-1 at the Donbass Arena in Week 2.

The Red Devils will be eager to pick up all three points at home to Real Sociedad on Wednesday night, with Shakhtar facing a tricky visit to Germany to take on Bayer Leverkusen.

The Spanish side have lost their opening two games, in what is their first European campaign in 10 years, but they come into the match at Old Trafford off the back of an impressive away win over Valencia at the weekend.

La Real currently sit 12th in La Liga with two wins, four draws and three losses to their name.

While midfielder Xabi Prieto returned to the fold last weekend, manager Jagoba Arrasate will be without the services of Esteban Granero for the tie. The QPR man, who is on loan at the San Sebastian outfit, was Arrasate’s only summer signing—per Simon Hart in the Independent—but he is currently sidelined for six months after rupturing his ACL.

United’s first-choice centre-back pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are doubtful after sitting out of training on Tuesday—per Gordon Tynan in the same paper—and Tom Cleverly is also sidelined with a calf injury. 

United will be wary of the threat posed by Spanish opposition, having lost their last two home games against La Liga clubs.

 

Key Battles

Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie vs. Real Sociedad’s Defense

The stats suggest Rooney and van Persie should run amok against a Sociedad defence that has leaked four goals in their opening two games.

Rooney became Britain’s all-time leading goal scorer in Champions League history when he netted his 29th goal of the competition on Matchday 1—per UEFA. While van Persie has scored in 10 consecutive Champions League seasons and has netted 14 goals in his last 17 appearances for United in all competitions.

But in reality the pair have failed to form a fruitful partnership since the Dutchman’s arrival from Arsenal. When one plays well the other stutters and vice versa.

If they can make it work against La Real then United will almost definitely come away with three points.

  

Antoine Griezmann vs. Rafael

The talented French winger should cause Rafael some problems down the left side of the pitch. The Brazilian is still working his way back to full fitness since his time on the sidelines with injury, and he will need to be at his best defensively against Griezmann. 

The 22-year-old, who can also play on the right, likes to cut inside, and his 11 goals in 33 appearance for Sociedad last season—per ESPN—demonstrate the danger he can cause when he lets fly.

Whichever winger Moyes choses to role out for this game will need to help out behind the ball.

 

Central Midfield

This is the area of the pitch that Manchester United have looked ropey in this season. In fact, it’s been one of the Red Devils' weakest positions for a few years now, and it will be an area that Sociedad will hope to exploit.

In the absence of Cleverly, Moyes will most likely deploy Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini in the centre of the park again, although the Belgian has failed to spark since his deadline-day arrival at the club. He looked lethargic and lacking in confidence on Saturday, and he will need to start performing before Moyes’ patience begins to wear thin.

There have been some suggestions that Carrick needs a more agile player alongside him and that Fellaini makes Moyes’ side one-dimensional. But with a lack of other options expect these two to line up on Wednesday.

  

Prediction

Manchester United 3-1 Real Sociedad 

This will be the first meeting between the two sides, and Manchester United will be expected to come out on top.

The Sociedad team is packed with homegrown talent, but United have countless years of European experience behind them, which can often prove a vital tool during the group stages.

The Red Devils will need to tighten up at the back, however. They have leaked 10 goals in eight Premier League games, and Moyes has yet to settle on a solid back four. Having said that, Sociedad have struggled for goals this season, finding the net just eight times in nine league games, and they don’t have the firepower to suggest they will trouble United.

Their main striker Carlos Vela will be known to United fans from his unsuccessful spell as a teenager at Arsenal. The Mexican has improved since his move to Spain, scoring 14 and assisting nine goals in his 32 appearances for his side last season—per ESPN.