Man United closing as slight betting favorite for big win over Real Sociedad

Returning to European competition this week, Man United are closing as decent betting favorites to progress in the UEFA Europa League past Spanish side, Real Sociedad – in a bid to draft in an unturn in recent form.

Travelling to San Sebastian last week, United took a lead in the first leg of the clash, with Dutch forward, Joshua Zirkzee wrong footing the keeper to find the net.

However, with 20 minutes to go, Spanish striker, Mikel Oyarzabal converted from the spot to draw the sides level, and leave nothing between them ahead of the return leg in Old Trafford.

Man United slight betting favorites for win over Real Sociedad

And ahead of the tie, Man United are closing as -118 betting favorites to beat the +305 betting underdogs, Real Sociedad – with fans, punters, and bettors able to fight the best odds for the tie with FIRST secure and licensed bookmakers.

Securing their third straight draw after 90 minutes over the course of the weekend, Man United and head coach, Ruben Amorim were commended for their home performance.

Welcoming arch-rivals, Arsenal to Old Trafford, the home side took a half-time lead late in the opening 45 minutes.

Converting from just outside the box, captain, Bruno Fernandes splendidly found the net from a set piece, beating out Spanish keeper, David Raya.

However, late in the second half, another lapse in concentration allowed English midfielder, Declan Rice to steer home via the inside of the post past Andre Onana to draw the sides level. 

Providing an update on his available squad for the massive European tie this week, Portuguese coach, Amorim confirmed the absence of Leny Yoro and center back partner, Harry Maguire, and revealed Mason Mount is still too far from fitness to return to the matchday squad.

“Mason Mount is too soon [for him to play]. Leny [Yoro] is out,” Amorim said during his media scrum this afternoon. “Harry Maguire cannot play this one, but I hope to have him for Sunday.

“Leny is not long-term [injured], but he cannot play this game.”

And tasked with progressing to the next round in a bid to score the final piece of silverware available to his side this campaign, Amorim admitted both he and the team as a whole are starkly “underperforming”.

“I think if we are being honest, everybody – me and the players – we are underperforming this season,” Amorim explained. “So we can change that.”

Hoping to proceed to the quarter finals, Man United will either face off with French side, Lyon – or face prior league-phase opponents, FC Steaua Bucuresti. 

Facing an uphill climb to draw United or Sociedad in the quarters, Steaua will have to mount a significant comeback, with Lyon riding a 3-1 lead into a home-drawn second leg tomorrow. 

And in an interesting stat, following Liverpool’s exit from the UEFA Champions League to PSG overnight via penalties, United remain the sole English side in European competition to enjoy an unbeaten run this season.

In order to reach another final, Man United would be pitted with either Lyon, Steaua, as well as Rangers, Fenerbache, Athletic Bilbao, or Serie A side, AS Roma.