Manchester United Aim For First Clean Sheet In 9 CL Games

Date: 23rd October 2013

Venue: Old Trafford

KO: 19.45

Manchester United:

David Moyes could again be without the centre-back pairing of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand for tonight’s game against Real Sociedad. The pair missed Saturday’s draw with Southampton and Jonny Evans could partner Phil Jones tonight if the two are forced to sit the game out.

Despite Darren Fletcher training with the first team yesterday, it would be surprising to see him make the squad after not playing since the victory over Newcastle United on Boxing Day. Missing from the training session though, was England duo Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley who both look set to miss the clash after picking up knocks over the past week.

One positive for Moyes will be the addition of Adnan Januzaj to their Champions League squad. The talented youngster has been added to the roster after a match-winning display earned him the praise of all across Europe and due to his age he is classified as a home-grown player and can be included in future squads.

Real Sociedad:

The away side will be without the on-loan Esteban Granero after the midfielder suffered a cruciate ligament damage last month and will be missing until March. Other than Granero, Jagoba Arrasate should have a full squad to pick from and will be hoping to cause an upset by gaining their first points of the group stage at Old Trafford.

Recent form:

Despite all their troubles in the Premier League, Manchester United have begun life under David Moyes in Europe in solid fashion. A convincing victory over Bayer Leverkusen at Old Trafford saw the side score four goals and create eight chances. Although they conceded two goals, Moyes will have been delighted to start the campaign with a win and then see his side back it up with a scrappy point in Donetsk that saw them limit the home side to just four shots all game.

Like United, Real Sociedad haven’t had the best of times of late – starting La Liga with only 10 points from their opening 9 games. Despite thrashing Lyon in the qualifiers, their return to the Champions league hasn’t gone much better – losing their first two group games and scoring only one goal along the way.

If they are to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages they must pick up at least a point in this evening’s fixture, but even the most passionate fan must feel their dream is already over.

Players to Watch:

Manchester United - Wayne Rooney

A bright spark in the United side this season, Rooney has returned to the form that saw him lead the club to the final of the Champions League in 2008, 2009 and 2011. Scoring 2 goals in the competition in his solitary appearance against Leverkusen, Rooney will be looking at this game as his best opportunity to add to that tally before the group stages come to a close.

Real Sociedad - Carlos Vela

After starring for Erreala last season former Arsenal forward Carlos Vela has taken his fine form into the current season, despite the club’s poor form.

Scoring the club’s only goal in the Champions League group stages against Leverkusen, Arrasate will be looking to his Mexican forward as the inspiration behind a possible upset and Moyes will have to ensure he is tightly marked throughout. Vela has created nearly double that of his nearest challenger at the Anoeta this season, showing the creative threat that he possesses that could damage the United backline.

Prediction:

Considering the Basque side’s recent poor form, everyone involved with Manchester United should be looking to this match as one they can build their season on. The Old Trafford crowd will be on the players backs and you can imagine this will spur them on to attack from the off, but with the away side’s attacking threat and United’s injury troubles at the back it would be surprising to see Arrasate’s side not get on the score sheet.

Both teams to score and a home win looks the most likely outcome.