Saiyed Karim
Life in the Europa League is feeling all too familiar for Manchester United. In recent years the Red Devils have bounced between Europe’s elite tournament the Champions League and its second tier counterpart with altogether too much frequency.
It’s very much been a mixed bag in Europe since Sir Alex Ferguson retired just under a decade ago, but failing to impress in the Champions League this season has left United back among UEFA’s also-rans.
It’s true that United have experienced success in the Europa League, completing the set in Stockholm in 2017 was a high point. It was a fitting end to a mammoth season that landed the Reds back in the Champions League.
Solskjær and his new look United have experience in both competitions. Since taking over the Norwegian has navigated last minute drama in Paris in the Champions League, while guiding United to a semi final disappointment against eventual winners Sevilla last season in the Europa League.
For Solskjær it’s been four times failure at the semi final stage. United are currently odds on favourites from a number of bookmakers with new football betting offers but first they have the matter of facing off against Spanish side Real Sociedad.
The Red Devils will encounter a couple of familiar faces from days gone by when they take to the pitch in Turin on Thursday night. Sociedad currently have one-time academy starlet and Adnan Januzaj as well as ex-City ace David Silva on their books.
Although Januzaj has said he has nothing to prove, you can bet the Belgian international will be gunning to get one up on his old side, Januzaj quickly fell out of favour after the departure of David Moyes.
Similarly there will be no love lost from Silva, who will be looking to add another piece of silverware to his already impressive trophy haul.
There is more than one reason why United should err on the side of caution going into the round of 32 tie against La Reales. United are currently without a win in their last nine matches against Spanish opponents.
Since a 1-0 victory against Celta Vigo in the semi final of the Europa League en route to winning the competition in 2017, United have since notched up a total of three draws and six defeats against Spanish sides including Barcelona and Sevilla.
With games coming thick and fast it is difficult to account for form but having only managed to secure one point from two meetings against relegation battlers West Brom and Sheffield United in recent weeks, Real Sociedad would seem to mount a distinctively more cultured challenge for the Reds. The Basque side are currently enjoying one of their best stretches in recent years, holding onto top spot for much of the season until being dismounted just before Christmas.
Having slid in recent weeks to a more modest fifth place, Sociedad will feel short changed if they don’t make the Champions League next season. A few points off fourth placed Sevilla, and with the Spanish league what it currently is, Sociedad have two valid routes to Champions League football next campaign. United stand in the way of one of those avenues.
Solskjær may very well field a changed team from the last outing against West Brom at the weekend. But by now he must know that the Europa League is one of only two viable routes to clinching much-needed silverware to legitimise his reign.
An away draw to top four challengers Leicester City in the FA Cup at the end of March represents Solskjær’s other route to silverware, with the Premier League title race seemingly wrapped up by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City already.
If United want to etch their name on a trophy, there are arguably two avenues still available but both are beset by a more than capable string of worthy opponents. Real Sociedad are just the first hurdle of many.
