Early team news for our Europa League opener

Spanish outfit Real Sociedad are the visitors to Old Trafford (20:00 BST) on Thursday for our opener in this season’s European competition. 

The game will come four days on from the 3-1 victory over Arsenal on the same ground and just under 72 hours before our trip to Crystal Palace, both in the Premier League. 

Ten Hag brought new signing Antony into the starting XI for Sunday’s win over Arsenal, but before then had previously named an unchanged line-up for our triumphs over Liverpool, Southampton and Leicester. 

However, with matches on the calendar now coming around quickly, it is likely that the boss will look to make alterations in the upcoming matches to keep his players fresh.

As far as injury concerns go, Donny van de Beek missed Sunday’s outing through injury and Ten Hag could provide an update on the Dutchman, and the Reds’ other injury concerns, during his pre-match press conference, which you can see on ManUtd.com, MUTV and in the United App on Wednesday.

It also remains unclear when forward Anthony Martial will be in contention to return, after the Frenchman picked up a problem in the win over Liverpool last month. 

Our no.9 has subsequently missed the last four outings and, prior to the Arsenal game, the boss said “he cannot tell at this moment” when Martial will be back. 

One Red that did come back into the squad at the weekend, having missed our win at Leicester in the midweek prior, was Luke Shaw, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka remained an absentee. 

Phil Jones, Facundo Pellistri, Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams are also on United’s injury list, although Jones and Williams are ineligible to feature on Thursday regardless, having not been selected in the Reds’ Europa League squad due to their respective recovery timescales.

If Ten Hag is to make changes, either Martin Dubravka or Tom Heaton could be in line to start in goal for United. The former completed a loan move to the club from Newcastle United during last week’s deadline day.

Harry Maguire was introduced to help the Reds see the game out on Sunday and could potentially get a start, as could Victor Lindelof, who has recently returned from an injury. 

New signing Casemiro was also brought on against Arsenal for his first Old Trafford appearance as a Red and is working towards his first start since joining the club from Real Madrid this summer. 

Fred and Cristiano Ronaldo also made impacts from the bench at the weekend and could be rewarded with a place in the team against Sociedad, while Anthony Elanga could also feature, having started our three wins prior to the Arsenal game. 

Young forward Alejandro Garnacho has also been included in our squad for the competition and would make his senior European debut if he plays.

REAL SOCIEDAD TEAM NEWS

According to reports, French centre-back Robin Le Normand is a doubt for the matchday one clash with a foot injury, despite playing every minute of the Spanish side’s La Liga campaign so far. 

Winger Mikel Oyarzabal has already been ruled out until at least next month, with an ACL tear he sustained back in March.

Former Manchester City midfielder David Silva is now playing his football with La Real and could play on Thursday, as could forward Umar Sadiq, who scored as a half-time substitute on his debut for the club in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid.