Manchester United warned of Real Sociedad threat as visitors will believe more misery is on the cards

Real Sociedad have a growing belief that they can add to Manchester United's season of torment.

The Spanish side will arrive at Old Trafford for the second leg of their Europa League last 16 clash full of confidence, European football journalist Kevin Hatchard told talkSPORT.

A Mikel Oyarzabal penalty to cancel out Joshua Zirkzee's goal ensured it's still all to play for.

"Real Sociedad had big chances to win [the first leg]," Hatchard told Trans Europe Express on talkSPORT.

"Orri Oskarsson shot wide from about seven yards out, they tested [Andre] Onana from close range.

"And Real Sociedad, because of the way they finished that first leg, are starting to really think they can do something.

"They won at Old Trafford in 2022 and their coach at the time, Imanol Alguacil, who is still their coach, said, 'Look, we've done it once, we can do it again'.

"He said you could see the potential United have, he said you can see they've got structure, they've got physicality, we're still in the tie, we're calm and we're proud of what we've done so far."

Real Sociedad beat United 1-0 at Old Trafford in their opening match of the Europa League group phase.

It remains their only victory against the Premier League giants over seven meetings, with defeats coming in three of their clashes.

This could change on Thursday though as both sides eye a quarter-final spot where they will face either FC Steaua Bucuresti or Lyon.

For United, it's their last opportunity to win silverware this season having already been knocked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

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Their 14th-place standing in the Premier League also means domestic success is all but confirmed to be over until the new campaign.

Victory against Real Sociedad, in a week when co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has talked about the under performing season publicly, would offer a much-needed boost, and Christian Eriksen is aware of how big the occasion will be.

"It's massive," he said after their 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday. "We know the pressure, we know the situation we're in in the league.

"To get into Europe next season we have to win a lot of games in the league or go through the Europa League.

"So we know there's a lot of pressure on that game, but it also comes with being at this club. You play for trophies so we have to play well to go through."

Players, though, have been unaffected by their boss' comments, says manager Ruben Amorim, who said he appreciates his support.

Mason Mount and Manuel Ugarte have both trained ahead of the crucial second leg, but Leny Yoro was among the absentees.

Yoro looks set to miss out after coming off with an issue midway through Sunday's draw with Arsenal.

He was absent from training on Wednesday, as was fellow centre-back Harry Maguire.

Ugarte has missed United's two last games through injury, while Mount last featured against Manchester City on December 15.