Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has made three changes to his side following Sunday’s 1-0 win over West Ham in the Premier League.
Victor Lindelof comes in for Harry Maguire in central defence. Donny van de Beek makes a rare start as he replaces Anthony Elanga. Teenager Alejandro Garnacho takes the place of Marcus Rashford, who is named among the substitutes.
Both Manchester United and Real Sociedad have already qualified for the next phase. But Erik ten Hag’s side must win in San Sebastian by two clear goals to finish top of Group E.
That could prove crucial to United’s chances of progressing further in the tournament as the winners go through to the last 16. While the second-placed side must face a team dropping out of the Champions League in a two-legged play-off.
Ten Hag said: “You face every opponent, but we like those challenges. If you want to win the trophy, you have to beat them all.”
Real Sociedad team to play Man Utd: Remiro, Gorosabel, Le Normand, Pacheco, Rico, Mendez, Zubimendi, Merino, Marin, Sorloth, Carlos Fernandez.
Real Sociedad subs: Sola, Illarramendi, Zubeldia, Elustondo, Zubiaurre, Guevara, Navarro, Turrientes, Gonzalez, Marrero, Karrikaburu, Magunacelaya.
Man Utd team to play Real Sociedad: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Van de Beek, Fernandes, Garnacho, Ronaldo.
Man Utd subs: Dubravka, Vitek, Maguire, Malacia, Wan-Bissaka, Fred, Iqbal, McTominay, Pellistri, Elanga, Rashford, Shoretire.
What makes Ten Hag different
Manchester United midfielder, Casemiro, has said manager Erik ten Hag’s “obsession with winning” stands him apart from other coaches he has played under.
Casemiro only joined United in a £70million deal from Real Madrid in the summer.
And has begun to thrive under Ten Hag, after a subdued start to his career at Old Trafford.
United, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions. And play Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday evening in a battle for top spot in Group E.
Speaking ahead of United’s Europa League tie, Casemiro was asked what he can learn from Ten Hag having already played under Carlo Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Felipe Scolari and Tite.
‘After being in football for quite a while, despite the fact I’m only 30, his [Ten Hag’s] obsession for winning is what surprised me the most,’ Casemiro said.
‘I think he’s got many strengths, we all know it’s a process and we’re growing together. We see he wants to win and his obsession for teaching and making us better to the millimetre is key.
‘That obsession with winning is something I’ve only seen with very few managers.’
