Fan-favourite dropped, Rúben Amorim makes unpopular decision – Manchester United predicted XI vs Real Sociedad (Europa League)

Rúben Amorim is predicted to drop a Manchester United fan favourite as the club prepare to take on Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

Rúben Amorim will be hoping his Manchester United side can maintain their impressive Europa League form as they face Real Sociedad in the knockout stage.

Despite their struggles in the Premier League and a recent FA Cup exit, United have won all three of their European matches under the Portuguese coach and now take on La Liga opposition in the round of 16.

The first leg will be played in San Sebastián on Thursday evening, with the return fixture at Old Trafford a week later.

With their domestic campaign faltering and FA Cup elimination confirmed, winning the Europa League represents United’s best opportunity to secure Champions League football next season.

Amorim struggles with injuries

Wednesday morning brought news that Amorim will have to do without Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte when United face Sociedad after both players were ruled out due to minor problems sustained against Fulham.

However, goalkeeper André Onana still travelled and remains the only senior goalkeeper in the squad, meaning he will almost certainly continue in goal on Thursday evening.

With Maguire absent, it’s likely that Matthijs de Ligt will take his place in the middle of the back three, leaving Leny Yoro as the obvious option to cover on the left hand side.

Meanwhile, Noussair Mazraoui could return to the right centre-back role, where he naturally plays better. This would allow Diogo Dalot to return to his orthodox right wing-back spot, as Patrick Dorgu is available for selection, having been suspended against Fulham.

In midfield, with Ugarte absent, the natural replacement is Casemiro, who many fans have been calling to start anyway following his “quality” performance against Fulham. Alongside him is likely to be Bruno Fernandes, who Amorim has chosen to start deeper of late.

As for the front three, Amorim may choose to make a decision that will upset many fans. Joshua Zirkzee has become a fan favourite of late, but played all 120 minutes against Fulham, and may be rested with the Arsenal fixtrue in mind.

This would mean that, despite fan calls, Rasmus Højlund may be set to start once again, although the Danish international does have a fantastic record in European fixtures for United.

📊 | Rasmus Højlund's #mufc record in Europe:

👥 12 games
⚽️ 10 goals
🎯 1 assist
⏱️ 82 mins per involvement pic.twitter.com/JBnGuMUAnw

— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) March 4, 2025

With Højlund as the striker, Alejandro Garnacho’s good performance against Fulham may see him return to the XI on the left, with Christian Eriksen being shifted to the right hand side.

United predicted XI vs Real Sociedad

Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Yoro, Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu, Eriksen, Højlund, Garnacho.

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