Confirmed - United XI to face Real Sociedad
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed his Manchester United starting XI to face Real Sociedad in the first leg of our last 32 tie.
The boss has made five changes to the side that drew at West Brom at the weekend, with Dean Henderson, Eric Bailly, Alex Telles, Mason Greenwood and Dan James all coming in.
Speaking to MUTV before the game, Ole said: “We’re away in Europe, so the message has been: it’s worth going for goals. I know it’s a neutral venue but, for us, we have to take advantage of that and when there’s a chance we have to go forward.
"Attack quickly; expect fresh legs, expect a mentality to also keep them away from our goal because we know we have to defend well.
Ole's message to the players
Solskjaer explains the approach he wants to see from his side against Real Sociedad...
"Of course, that [pace] is part of what we are as a club," he added. "With Dan, Marcus and Mason, and Bruno behind them, hopefully he’ll give them good service and attack quickly.
“There are some good memories here and some bad ones. I think I had one of my worst moments on the football pitch ever here, when the ball went under my foot! [Laughs] It’s a great city, a fantastic stadium, all set for a good day.”
Meanwhile, former Red Adnan Januzaj starts for Real Sociedad, who are enjoying a solid season in La Liga. Before the game, Real Sociedad lost Artiz Elustondo in the warm-up, with Robin Le Normand replacing him in the starting XI.
Team line-ups
United: Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire ©️, Telles; Fred, McTominay; Greenwood, Fernandes, James; Rashford.
Subs: De Gea, Grant, Lindelof, Shaw, Tuanzebe, Williams, Amad, Mata, Matic, Martial, Shoretire.
Real Sociedad: Remiro; Zaldua, Le Normand, Zubeldia, Monreal; Silva, Illarramendi (c), Merino; Januzaj, Isak, Oyarzabal.
Subs: Marrero Larranaga, Portu, Munoz, Guridi, Sagnan, Guevara, Merquelanz, Gorosabel, Barrenetxea, Bautista, Zubimendi.