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Donny van de Beek gives his verdict on Real Sociedad ahead of Europa League fixture against Manchester United
Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek is aware of the threat Real Sociedad pose as they visit Old Trafford to face the Red Devils in their first Europa League group stage fixture.
Los Txuri-Urdin will face a buoyant United side. The Red Devils have won four games on the trot in the Premier League after a disappointing start, beating the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.
Speaking to United’s official website via (h/t Manchester Evening News), Van de Beek is wise to the quality Sociedad possess. The midfielder believes the Red Devils will have to fight hard to ensure a positive result.
“There are really good teams in La Liga. I saw Real Sociedad play a few times and they are technical and really good. They are all technically very good, like all Spanish teams. It’s a tough opponent, and we have to play good to get the result.”
Fans will feel United are favourites to qualify for the knockout stages. Apart from the La Liga outfit, Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol and Omonia Nicosia, a club from Cyprus, are in the Red Devils’ UEL group.
Sociedad a decent side
Sociedad have gotten off to a decent start in the 2022/23 campaign. In the Spanish league, Los Txuri-Urdin sit in seventh place after four games. They have managed two wins, a draw against Atletico Madrid and a loss to Barcelona.
Van de Beek knows about some of the game changers in Imanol Alguacil’s side. One of them includes former Manchester City superstar David Silva. The Spanish club have other talented players as well to count on.
“It will be a tough game and we have to give everything. David Silva, for example, is a really good player. They lost [Alexander] Isak, who was a good striker. I played against him in the Netherlands before, when he played there [for Willem II]. But they have a few more other good players.”
Erik ten Hag’s reign at the club got off to a bad start. United lost against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford in the first two matches. However, after the Dutch manager made a few changes, we have been solid at the back and a threat to every opposition in the final third.
Van de Beek has not had many minutes to play at United under his former Ajax manager. Ten Hag has made just one change to his starting lineup in the last four games in the form of Antony up front.
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It remains to be seen whether the Dutch midfielder gets an outing against Sociedad. Hopefully, the Red Devils are able to continue their winning run.
