Pranav Nair
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer likens Manchester United vs Real Sociedad to a Champions League fixture
According to the club’s offical site, Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has likened the club’s Europa League fixture against Real Sociedad to a Champions League tie.
The Red Devils dropped to the Europa League round of 32 after finishing third in their Champions League group behind PSG and RB Leipzig.
We have since been handed a tricky tie against an in-form La Liga side Real Sociedad. The Spaniards have been in fine form this season and are currently top of La Liga.
The Norwegian expects the Spaniards to provide United with a proper challenge and expects his side to be on their toes. Perhaps controversially he has gone on to admit it sounds like a Champions League tie.
“It sounds like a Champions League draw and it’s definitely one that keeps everyone on their toes.”
While it is true that Sociedad is top of La Liga, they have also played more games than the teams directly below them. More so with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona in transition, it should come as no surprise that they are behind Sociedad in the table.
“This feels like a Champions League draw – they’re top of the Spanish league. We just have to stay focused.”
Head in the sand!
While we understand that Solskjaer is trying to paint a pretty picture, the fact that he compared it to a Champions League tie is jarring.
Not only because we aren’t in the Champions League but also due to the fact that we threw away an excellent opportunity to progress to the last 16, instead of dropping down a level.
It is in all honesty a pretty uncomfortable choice of words by Solskjaer. United will be away in the first leg of the tie, on February 18, with the second leg due to be played at Old Trafford a week later.
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The clash will also see us come up against former United winger Adnan Januzaj. Hopefully, he will not come back to haunt us.
Despite being the second-tier competition, United should do all they can to win the tournament. While it will still not be the Champions League, at the very least it will help us break our three-year trophy drought.
