How Manchester United Will Line Up Against Real Sociedad
Manchester United head to the Basque city of San Sebastian knowing that a win against Real Sociedad will all but guarantee David Moyes' side a place in the second round of the Champions League.
As things stand, Bayer Leverkusen remain the club's main rivals for control of Group A, with Shakhtar Donetsk lingering as a mathematically possible, if unlikely, threat to United's participation in the next round.
| P | W | D | L | GD | Pts. | |
| Manchester United | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +3 | 7 |
| Bayer Leverkusen | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +3 | 6 |
| Shakhtar Donetsk | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 4 |
| Real Sociedad | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -4 | 0 |
Leverkusen host Shakhtar in the other Group A game on Matchday 4, with a draw arguably the best result as far as United's ambitions go, although a win for the Ukrainians would still be useful.
A pivotal trip to Germany awaits Moyes and his men later this month, and an assertive performance against Sociedad away would be good preparation going into their final matches in the group.
La Real may be pointless so far in Group A, but they remain a potential danger side at home, and a team that United cannot afford to underestimate.
After all, this game represents the club's last real chance to make any progress towards the second round this year and the potent mix of desperation, pride and pressure could galvanise Sociedad into raising their game.
United must also plan ahead for the Premier League visit of league leaders Arsenal at the weekend, which may influence Moyes' team selection and tactics.
Team News
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Tom Cleverley, Jonny Evans and Rafael were taken off at half-time against Fulham, with Moyes confirming to MUTV that Patrice Evra also picked up a knock, as per the club's official website ManUtd.com:
"We had four with Patrice Evra taking a knock just before half-time. Jonny Evans' back seized up, Rafael has gone over on his ankle and Tom Cleverley had double vision. It's the first time I've ever had to make three substitutions at half-time. Sometimes, maybe the team in the past has not played well and I might have had to do it but it certainly wasn't because of that today - it was down to injuries. I just have to hope they are okay.
"
With information scarce on the current status of the quartet, it looks likely that all four players will face a race against time to prove their fitness before United's Champions League clash.
"Rafael (ankle), Cleverley (double vision), Evans (stiff back), Evra (ankle) could be doubtful for #MUFC match at Real Sociedad in midweek.
— Howard Nurse (@howardnurse) November 2, 2013"
Danny Welbeck and Michael Carrick are also worries, with the issue of the English midfielder's availability especially pressing considering the withdrawal of Cleverley at the weekend. Having missed the trip to Fulham, however, Carrick should be well rested enough to start in San Sebastian.
Following the reaction to Hugo Lloris' decision to remain on the pitch against Everton after suffering a serious head injury, pressure may grow on United to rest Cleverley regardless having suffered a blow which caused him double vision at Craven Cottage.
Sociedad will be without the injured midfield trio of Diego Ifran, Daniel Estrada and Queens Park Rangers loanee Esteban Granero.
What Threat Will Sociedad Pose at Home?
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Sociedad's 5-0 win over regional rivals Osasuna was the standout result in La Liga at the weekend, but manager Jagoba Arrasate has admitted that his side's victory was embellished by the red card handed out to Jordan Loties after 49 minutes, as per Football Espana.
La Real had already scored two goals prior to his dismissal, but their one man advantage allowed the home side to add a further three strikes in the remaining 35 minutes to secure a noteworthy final score.
The first three of Sociedad's goals came from set pieces and United must be wary of their host's proficiency at corners and free kicks.
Fouls must be kept to a minimum, with Ruben Pardo's deliveries from dangerous positions likely to be a key threat to the visiting group leaders, especially considering the potential impact of injuries on United's back line.
Antoine Griezmann could also profit in the absence of Rafael whose tenacity down the right would be sorely missed if he were to be ruled out.
The pace of Carlos Vela will also pose questions on the break, and United must be especially careful should Rio Ferdinand or Nemanja Vidic be brought into the side to replace Evans or one of Smalling or Jones, who could be required to deputise at right-back in place of Rafael.
Goalkeeper
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Goalkeeper: David De Gea
Unopposed as United's No. 1 goalkeeper, the Spaniard is now the first name on the team sheet, and not just because of his shirt number.
Defence
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Central defence: Phil Jones and Rio Ferdinand
With Evans a doubt following his back injury against Fulham, Moyes may decide to rest the Northern Irishman in preparation to face Arsenal.
That could lead to either Ferdinand or Vidic being selected in his place, with the Englishman getting the nod here due to the Serbian's uniqueness as the club's most physically dominant defender. We could also see him involved against Arsene Wenger's side.
Alongside one of United's ever slowing veterans, Jones would add some much needed quickness and energy to respond to Sociedad's speedy attackers and potential counter-attacks.
Full-backs: Alexander Buttner and Chris Smalling
Rafael could also be rested to ensure he will be able to play against Arsenal, handing a start at right-back to Chris Smalling, who has been preferred to Jones out wide of late.
The Brazilian's twin brother, Fabio, would also be a good option at right-back, but Moyes has seemed reluctant to play him so far.
With other first team regulars set to be unavailable to play, fans should expect to see familiar faces involved in the starting line-up rather than players struggling to make a breakthrough. For that reason, the closest Fabio is likely to get to the starting line-up is the bench.
Continuing with the theme of players who Moyes appears to be familiar and comfortable with, Buttner looks set to stand in for Evra should the Frenchman fail to prove his fitness in time for the club's Group A clash.
Moyes has been quite generous with the Dutchman when it comes to granting the left-back playing time, and as a naturally left-footed player, as opposed to the right-footed Fabio, Buttner would feed into the manager's preference for wide overlaps from deep.
Midfield
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Central midfield: Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick
While key personnel can be rested in defence, the club's malnourished roster of midfielders means that Carrick is likely to be rushed back into the team to face Sociedad, such is Cleverley's importance to any plans for a three-man midfield to face Arsenal.
The 24-year-old is currently United's only real option when it comes to a mobile and robust link-man through the middle with Anderson lacking match practise and form, and with a January departure on the cards for the Brazilian.
United's policy of complacency in regards to restocking their midfield has also hampered Fellaini's time at the club so far, with the Belgian thrown into roles ill-fitting of his abilities.
Against Fulham, he was tasked with playing as a box-to-box midfielder of sorts and struggled to keep the supply lines to the flanks and forwards ticking over. Though he did perform admirably given the compromised circumstances he found himself in.
Considering the greater expectations and requirements of speed, technique and creativity at United compared to Everton, Fellaini is not as versatile as he was for the Toffees by virtue of the greater specialisation demanded at Old Trafford.
As such, he is another victim, as well as beneficiary, of the club's failed summer transfer policy.
The signing of another playmaker or midfield all-rounder would have allowed Fellaini to revel in his strengths as a marauding destroyer, breaking up play and causing a nuisance for the oppositions with his physical frame.
Instead, cast in a more attacking role for United, Fellaini's deficiencies, rather than his qualities, come to the fore, which is why Carrick must play against Sociedad to lubricate the team's passing game and aid in their attempts to retain the ball.
As a pairing, they remain far from ideal, however, due to their lack of pace and mobility to reduce the gap between defence and attack, but at present they're the best United have.
Regardless of the result, the midfield selection headaches that linger over the club's trip to San Sebastian will hopefully be noted down as yet more ammunition for a major midfield recruitment drive in January.
Attack
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In the hole: Shinji Kagawa
Has Moyes seen the light when it comes to playing Kagawa in his favoured position?
Following the Japanese playmaker's performance in United's first Group A game against La Real a fortnight ago, the manager spoke out in praise of the attacking midfielder for the first time, as per ESPN FC:
"I thought he was really good, his effort when we didn't have the ball was fantastic. Everyone tells me about Shinji’s ability and what he’s got, but tonight was the first time I have really seen Shinji. I thought he played really well. When we put him in the No. 10 role, I thought he was very good off Wayne and off the left, he plays off the left for Japan, but I thought off the ball he was terrific with his attitude and his energy. I was pleased for him. That's the best I have seen from Shinji since I took over.
"
Such comments can hardly be considered faint praise compared to the rather distant and bemused tone used by Moyes in his less recent remarks on Kagawa's performances.
While the playmaker again struggled against Fulham in United's 3-1 win at the weekend, it's fair to say that his introduction was far from ideal due to the incoherent nature of the Jones and Fellaini midfield partnership behind him.
Considering his impact in the teams' earlier clash back in October, he could well be handed another start in San Sebastian if only to allow Moyes to assess his suitability to take on such a role on a more permanent basis.
Hopefully this time Kagawa and his teammates' finishing will be that little bit sharper in order for the midfielder's technique and creativity to garner more than just an own goal, as was the case in the 1-0 win over Sociedad at Old Trafford.
Out wide: Adnan Januzaj
Adam Marshall of ManUtd.com reports that Januzaj is set to make an appearance against Real Sociedad with Moyes certain that the prodigious winger has the stamina to contribute on multiple fronts this season:
"He's definitely ready to play in the Champions League. He's not got a problem. We're trying to bring the boy along at the right pace if we can. He's not tired and we've not seen any dips in form just now so I'm sure we'll continue using him and he'll definitely be in and around the squad.
The boy is working really well and whatever job we give him he's a real talent. I don't want to put too much expectation on the boy, which is why I'll undoubtedly take him out of the team at times during the year so he doesn't get too much exposure.
"
Considering how the United manager has approached so-called big games so far this season, the youngster may start on the bench against Arsenal with more muscular and industrious players, such as Antonio Valencia, preferred in order to counter specific threats.
That could mean that Januzaj is given an opportunity to translate his league form to the Champions League.
Alternatively, either Wilfried Zaha or Nani could be tasked with adding width and trickery out wide for United, with Januzaj's involvement in San Sebastian coming as a second-half substitute.
In attack: Robin van Persie or Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez
Playing both van Persie and Rooney against Sociedad would be foolhardy considering the impending visit of Arsenal at the weekend. Expect one of United's star strikers to be dropped in order to ensure that the club's firepower is not diminished going into such an important league game.
Chicharito's demands for playing time and the growing sense of unease permeating from the Mexican's camp could instead see Hernandez handed a start, with his ability to lead the line from kick-off still questionable compared to his impact off the bench.
A start against Sociedad will grant him another opportunity to prove his worth as more than just a super sub.
How Will United Line Up Against Real Sociedad?
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With all that in mind, United could line up in the following formation against Sociedad in the Champions League:
4-2-2-2
GK: De Gea
DF: Smalling, Ferdinand, Jones, Buttner
MF: Carrick, Fellaini
AM: Kagawa, Januzaj
ST: Hernandez, Rooney (or van Persie)
The deep-lying pivot of Carrick and Fellaini would seek to disrupt Sociedad's passing game while redistributing the ball to Kagawa roaming from the hole, or to Januzaj, whose position out wide would offer a different attack pattern down the flanks.
Either Rooney or van Persie would play a more creative role to feed Hernandez, whose greater qualities as a finisher rather than a build-up player would see him nominated as the primary goal threat.
At the back, Smalling would keep things steady on the right with Buttner looking to push on in support of Kagawa, Januzaj and Co.
Ferdinand's lack of pace would be supported by the deeper positions of the primary midfield duo whose screening would allow Jones to take a more proactive approach to dealing with individual threats as the back line's main stopper.
Prediction
Real Sociedad 1-2 Manchester United
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