Aheed Abrar
Real Sociedad to take the initiative as Imanol Alguacil details gameplan vs Manchester United
Manchester United will face Real Sociedad in the first group stage game of the Europa League at Old Trafford. The Spanish club’s manager, Imanol Alguacil, has stated that his side will look to take the game to the Red Devils.
Los Txuri-Urdin visit Manchester to commence United’s UEL campaign. Moldovan outfit Sheriff Tiraspol and Cypriot club Omonia Nicosia make up Group E.
Speaking ahead of the game via Manchester Evening News, Erik ten Hag’s opposite number laid out how Sociedad would approach the game. The La Liga side are willing to take the initiative and put pressure on the Red Devils.
“It is us that need to take the initiative even though we are playing a team which likes to do the same.
“To be honest I wouldn’t like to play for the draw, putting men behind the ball. I would prefer to lose and be a team who has given it a go regardless of the team we are facing.”
Most weaker oppositions visit top sides like United and decide to hold out for a draw. When the Red Devils play against teams that play deeper, it often does not make for an entertaining showing. However, it seems the Sociedad manager has every intention to play on the front foot.
United on a high
United are coming off of a four-game win streak at the moment. After initially losing to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford in the first two fixtures, the Red Devils have done brilliantly to turn their fortunes around.
Against Liverpool, Ten Hag tweaked the team a bit, dropping the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire. We played with more intensity. And Although we did not have as much of the ball as the gaffer would have liked, the side were effective on the counter.
The Southampton and Leicester City games were hard fought. United had to break down the opposition defence and the team did not have many chances to make use of their speed and intensity.
In the Arsenal game once again, United set up to play counter-attacking football and it turned out to be effective. Marcus Rashford scored the brace as he ran past the North London side’s defence on both occasions.
More Manchester United News
- Erik ten Hag called up Charlie McNeill and two other academy youngsters to train with senior Manchester United squad
- Alex Telles joined Sevilla on loan from Manchester United to solidify his World Cup chances
- Diogo Dalot delighted about healthy competition for places in the Manchester United squad
Hopefully, the game against Sociedad is entertaining. It remains to be seen whether United can get a positive result and keep their good form going.
