Match Today: Manchester United vs Real Sociedad 3-11-2022 UEFA Europa League

The top spot in Group E in the European League is at stake at Anoeta Stadium on Thursday evening, as Real Sociedad and Manchester United meet to find out their fate by knockout.

Emmanol Al Goasil's team have a three-point lead over the Red Devils and simply need to avoid defeat on their team's patch to take the visitors to the playoff knockout match.

Perfection has been the subject of Real Sociedad in the Europa League this term, but the same cannot be said of their recent La Liga endeavour, as Alguacil's men seek to recover from back-to-back domestic defeats to secure a 16th place in Europe.

Sociedad are heading into the final round as the only team in the 2022-23 Europa League to have won all five group matches so far, most recently in a 2-0 win over Omonia last week thanks to strikes from Robert Navarro and Brice Mendes.

In order to advance to the knockout stages as the group winner, Sociedad simply need to avoid defeat by more than one goal against Man United, but their momentum in La Liga has taken a hit with back-to-back losses to Valladolid and Real Betis in recent weeks.

Los and Real Sociedad had previously won five at home before Betis blocked them, but Sociedad are now out to claim their three consecutive victories in Europe for the first time since 1998-99, and the hosts have fond memories of their previous trip to Old Trafford.

Since succumbing to a controversial 59th-minute penalty from Mendes in the opening round of the Europa League, Man United have recovered in a perfect way to ensure they are at least in the hat in the knockout rounds after four consecutive victories.

Cristiano Ronaldo came back from punishment with a big hit - scoring the third of his team's three goals the night after Diogo Dalot and Marcus Rashford had also scored a 3-0 victory.

Revenge of Sociedad with a one-goal win will not be enough to seal the lead for Man United, who must win at least two goals on Thursday if they are to automatically qualify for the Round of 16 and avoid the fall of one of the teams from the Champions League.

Rashford's 100th goal for the club was all Tin Hag needed to beat West Ham United 1-0 at the weekend, extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight games in all competitions, and the Red Devils' defense conceded only one goal in The last six games.

Man United are also traveling to Spain having scored in their last 12 Europa League games away from home since October 2019, beating Real Sociedad 4-0 at Anoeta during the Round of 32 of the 2020-21 Europa League, and repeating such a display on Thursday would amount to Their ticket to first place.