Manchester United vs Real Sociedad referee confirmed – he saw Paul Pogba score a worldie in 2016

UEFA have confirmed who will officiate Manchester United as Rúben Amorim welcomes Real Sociedad to Old Trafford in the second leg of their Europa League knockout tie.

Manchester United return to Europa League action as they host Real Sociedad in the second leg of their round of 16 tie at Old Trafford.

The first leg in San Sebastián saw Joshua Zirkzee fire Rúben Amorim’s side into the lead, only for Mikel Oyarzabal to equalize from the penalty spot, leaving the tie finely balanced at 1-1 on aggregate.

With a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs, both teams will be determined to come out on top. The winner will face either Olympique Lyonnais or FCSB, with Lyon holding a 3-1 advantage heading into their second leg.

United’s last match ended in a 1-1 draw with Arsenal, a performance that provided plenty of positives. A packed Old Trafford awaits on Thursday night as the Reds look to take another step forward in Europe.

UEFA have confirmed who will officiate the tie.

Confirmed officials

Frenchman Benoît Bastien (pictured below) will be the referee on Thursday evening in Manchester. England has officiated 13 Ligue matches this season, nine in UEFA competitions, one in Saudi Arabia, and one in Ligue 2.

So far this season, England has issued 60 yellow cards in Ligue 1 and 99 across all competitions. He has issued two straight red cards and two via two yellow cards and has awarded 13 penalties this season, nine in Ligue 1 and four in other competitions.

Bastien has officiated United twice prior to the Sociedad clash. Once was a 4-1 win over Fenerbahce in 2016, thanks to goals from Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, and a brace from Paul Pogba, and the other was a 1-1 draw with BSC Young Boys in 2021.

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Pogba’s opening effort was a particularly stunning goal that evening, hitting a shot with his right foot from the edge of the area into the top left corner.

During the game, Hicham Zakrani and Aurélien Berthomieu will serve as the compatriot Bastien’s assistant referees. Jérémie Pignard will be the fourth official on Thursday evening, separating Amorim and Imanol Alguacil.

Willy Delajod has been appointed as the Video Assistant Referee. Benoît Millot will act as assistant VAR.

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