Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil has confirmed he can be without Luka Sucic for the clash with Manchester United on Thursday, which he admitted has taken him by surprise.
Alguacil brings his team to Old Trafford for the second leg of their Europa League last 16 tie after the edges couldn’t be separated in Spain last week.
Joshua Zirkzee opened the scoring for the Red Devils in the primary leg but a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty levelled things up and the match finished 1-1.
The Premier League side can be favourites to progress to the quarter-finals with the second leg at home, but clearly the tie continues to be within the balance.
Real Sociedad haven’t been helped by the injury news from Croatia international Sucic, though, who has ruled himself out of the sport on account of a knee problem.
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The 22-year-old began the primary leg in midfield, but won’t be involved in Manchester.
‘We thought he can be within the squad, but then he told me he couldn’t and he couldn’t make it,’ said Alguacil. ‘It was a surprise. He’ll attempt to get well as soon as possible.’
Star midfielder Martin Zubimendi missed the primary leg but is anticipated to be back for the second.
Alguacil’s side are usually not in great form, with three defeats of their last 4 outings and the Manchester United draw their only vibrant spot.
Sitting eleventh in La Liga, the manager knows that the possibility to knock Manchester United out of European competition is a large opportunity for the club.
‘I’m not one among those that thinks we have now nothing to lose. Yes, we have now so much to lose tomorrow, which is to be within the quarterfinals,’ he said.
‘It’s an enormous game. They wish to be within the quarters. They dream as well same as we do.
‘The sport at home was close. I feel immediately we’re still within the tie, alive within the tie and I definitely think we have now probabilities tomorrow.’
The 53-year-old said he’s completely satisfied for his side to be the underdogs and never talked up an excessive amount of, but did say he rates Manchester United highly, despite their awful campaign within the Premier League.
‘No one talks about Sociedad. That’s what it’s like. We’re used to that, Man United are a large club. Tomorrow I’m convinced that they can be really going into it attempting to win like we’re,’ he said.
‘We’ll see a team which is super competitive, nothing surprised me how they played last week. Their way of competing, the way in which they do within the Premier League.
‘Incredible team, great players, well coached. Arsenal couldn’t win here so meaning this team works well and performs well.
‘Within the Premier League they’ve not had the perfect results but I’ve seen matches where their performances have deserved more.’
On Manchester United’s team news Ruben Amorim confirmed that Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire won’t feature, while Mason Mount continues to be out, despite returning to training.
The longer-term injury list includes Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo.
‘Mason Mount is just too soon,’ said the United boss. ‘Leny is out. Harry Maguire cannot play this one. I hope to have him for Sunday.
‘Manu [Ugarte] is within the squad and I feel there may be no-one returning.’
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