Real Sociedad vs Manchester United live score, updates, highlights as Garnacho opens the scoring in Europa League

Manchester United already know their UEFA Europa League campaign will continue into 2023, but they are second in Group E with three points separating them from table-toppers Real Sociedad.

Erik ten Hag’s side head to Spain needing a convincing win if they are to avoid finishing second in their group and facing a playoff against one of the teams who dropped out of the Champions League.

Having lost to the La Liga club 1-0 at Old Trafford in September, the Red Devils will have to win by a two-goal margin to secure top spot.

United go into the match off the back of a 1-0 league win over West Ham, while Sociedad suffered a 2-0 defeat to Real Betis last time out, but Imanol Alguacil’s side are the only team in the Europa League competition with five wins from five group games in 2022/23.

MORE: Manchester United potential Europa League knockout round opponents

Real Sociedad vs Man United live score

Goals:

MUN – Garnacho (17th min)

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Real Sociedad vs Man United live updates, highlights from Europa League

34th min: Fernandes crosses into the back post but it’s just beyond Ronaldo and the ball goes out of play. United are keen to get to that two-goal margin before half-time.

32nd min: De Gea is yet to make a save and a wild shot from Marin keeps it that way. It’s well wide.

27th min: Garnacho causing problems again. Fernandes plays him in this time and the Argentine beats his man but slips at the crucial moment and his shot goes well over the bar.

24th min: Merino goes down after a hefty challenge and looks to be holding his shoulder. It looks painful but after being assessed by the physio he’s fit to continue. 

21st min: Merino carries the ball forward and looks to unleash a shot from the edge of the box but Lindelof gets a crucial block in.

17th min: GOAL! Real Sociedad 0-1 Man United

Garnacho has looked lively from the off and he’s got his first goal for the club. A brilliant through ball from Ronaldo into the left channel sees the teenager use his pace to outrun the defender and rifle the ball past the goalkeeper from a tight angle.

🔴 Alejandro Garnacho. Future star 💫 @agarnacho7 | @ManUtd | #UEL pic.twitter.com/JIbyVYTYOm

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) November 2, 2022

14th min: Garnacho runs at Sociedad’s defence at pace again before cutting inside, however his final pass goes straight through everyone and out for a goal-kick.

12th min: Sociedad may be missing the magician David Silva but Mikel Merino is pulling a few strings from midfield at the moment and trying to find some pockets of space.

10th min: Garnacho does well down the left before crossing in but there’s nobody in the box to convert. Seconds earlier Ronaldo went down in the box but there’s not much in it, no penalty.

6th min: Chance for Fernandez! The Sociedad striker is played through but fires into the side netting at the near post. The flag goes up for offside anyway.

4th min: A cagey start by both teams so far with some early battles in the middle of the park. Van de Beek looks to be playing just behind Ronaldo.

We’re underway!

5 mins to kickoff: The atmosphere is building at the Reale Arena as the teams prepare to come out the tunnel. Just over 2,000 United fans are said to have made the trip and they’ll need to be extra loud tonight if they are two cheer their team on to victory.

15 mins to kickoff: All eyes will be on Van de Beek this evening and Ten Hag has explained why he’s finally given him the nod tonight.

“I think always when you play it has to be special, the first time [he starts], he was injured, he’s back, he has to work himself back and we need him today,” Ten Hag told MUTV.

Asked what he expects from the midfielder, he added: “Definitely scoring abilities, he’s good in movements, in between the lines, getting in behind, good in transition, counter-press, he has those capabilities and he has to show it today.”

35 mins to kickoff: Donny van de Beek has been handed a big chance, with United needing a win by two goals or more to avoid a playoff match in the Europa League knockouts. It’s the first start of the season in any competition for the 25-year-old Dutchman who was left off the Netherlands World Cup roster entirely.

Let’s go, @Donny_Beek6 👊#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/ozSqKGYufd

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 3, 2022

65 mins from kickoff: The lineups are out a bit early, and Erik ten Hag has thrown a few fringe players on knowing this match is less meaningful. Donny van de Beek and Alejandro Garnacho start for the Red Devils against a full-strength Real Sociedad side. In exchange, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga are rested, with Harry Maguire also sat in favor of Victor Lindelof.

A closer look around the away changing room! 🔎 #MUFC || #UEL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 3, 2022

90 mins from kickoff: “All I care about is MUFC!” United supporters at the outdoor bars in San Sebastian.

Buen ambiente de los hinchas del Manchester United en San Sebastián, a pesar de la lluvia. Visita grande para la Real. Partidazo. #UEL pic.twitter.com/Jh0UvEYJD0

— A. Gabilondo (@AS_AGabilondo) November 3, 2022

100 mins from kickoff: Man United will be in their third strip at the Reale Arena:

Third kit x European nights #MUFC || #UEL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 3, 2022

2 hours from kickoff: A matchup against one of these clubs in the Europa League knockout playoffs will be awaiting Man United in February if they can’t beat Real Sociedad by two or more goals.

#UCL teams dropping into the Europa League play-off round:

🇳🇱 Ajax
🇩🇪 Bayer Leverkusen
🇪🇸 Barcelona
🇵🇹 Sporting CP
🇦🇹 RB Salzburg
🇺🇦 Shakhtar Donetsk
🇪🇸 Sevilla
🇮🇹 Juventus

One of the above await if United can’t beat Real Sociedad by more than one goal. #mufc

— Alex Turk (@AlexCTurk) November 2, 2022

2 hours 30 from kickoff: There are unconfirmed reports that Cristiano Ronaldo, Alejandro Garnacho, Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, and Donny van de Beek are all starting for United in Spain. We’re an hour away from finding out if that’s true.

3 hours from kickoff: This is probably a welcome that’s a tad aggressive from Real Sociedad’s official account.

🇪🇺 Welcome to hell @ManUtd🔥#WeareReal | #UEL | #AurreraReala pic.twitter.com/uqVlicOKxN

— Real Sociedad 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 (@RealSociedadEN) November 2, 2022

What time is Real Sociedad vs. Manchester United?

Real Sociedad play host to Manchester United at Reale Arena in San Sebastian, Spain. It kicks off at 5.45 p.m. GMT on Thursday, November 3.

How to watch Real Sociedad vs. Manchester United

UK: Europa League matches are carried across BT Sport streaming and TV platforms. United’s match will be shown on BT Sport 1.

USA: Viewers can watch the match on TUDN, which is streamed on fuboTV, offering a free trial to new users. The match will also be streamed for subscribers of ViX+ (Spanish) or Paramount+ (English).

Canada: Every Europa League match all season long is broadcast in Canada via DAZN.

Australia: Every Europa League match all season long is streamed in Australia via Stan Sport.

Real Sociedad vs Manchester United lineups

Cristiano Ronaldo started the wins over Sheriff Tiraspol and West Ham last week and keeps his place. Harry Maguire was also back in the fold and didn’t put a foot wrong, but is rested in favor of Victor Lindelof who was said to be ill but makes the lineup. 

Donny van de Beek gets a surprise start in midfield alongside 18-year-old Alejandro Garnacho who impressed against FC Sheriff last time out in Europa League play.

Antony is injured, while Jadon Sancho is ill and Anthony Martial not quite fully fit, so none of those three forwards will be involved. Raphael Varane remains sidelined, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka is back in the squad and on the bench.

Manchester United lineup (4-3-1-2): De Gea (GK) — Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Shaw — Eriksen, Casemiro, van de Beek — Fernandes — Ronaldo, Garnacho.

Jon Karrikaburu led the line for Sociedad in their last Europa League outing but Imanol resorts back to two up front in Carlos Fernandez and Alexander Sorloth for this one.

Former Man City star David Silva — who won the controversial penalty by which La Real sealed victory at Old Trafford — is expected to be out until January with a thigh injury, and Takefusa Kubo has a shoulder injury. Full-back Alex Sola is fit, but is only able to make the bench.

Real Sociedad lineup (4-1-3-2): Remiro (GK) — Gorosabel, Le Normand, Pacheco, Rico — Zubimendi — Mendez, Marin, Merino — Fernandez, Sorloth

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Real Sociedad vs Manchester United odds

United have turned a corner since they last played Sociedad in September with things finally starting to click under Ten Hag. United’s attacking talent are linking up well with Marcus Rashford finding his best form and that will cause plenty of concern for the Spanish side.

However, Sociedad have conceded just once in five matches in the Europa League this season, winning all five games. David de Gea could well be in for a busy night at the other end.

MORE: Sporting News betting expert provides his best bet for the game