Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in UEFA Champions League history, featuring in a Europa League contest? Really? Well, we’ll see, but we’re predicting it vs Real Sociedad on Thursday night. Ronaldo, who spent the offseason and preseason trying to force a move to a club that’s playing in the UCL this term, has scored 16 more Champions League goals than Lionel Messi, the man in second place on that list.
But he’s not a first choice forward under Erik ten Hag right now, so thus he’s technically a “squad player” and that means he’s a prime choice for a Europa League match first XI.
Manchester United vs Real Sociedad Europa League Group Stage FYIs
Kick Off: Thursday, Sep 8, 2022, at 8 pm local Old Trafford
Competition: Group E, Match Day 1 of 6
United Team News: go here
After Extra Time Pod: Spotify Apple
We can say the same about Harry Maguire, the world’s all-time most expensive defender. Mr. 80 million GBP made our “squad rotation” predicted starting lineup too.
You can have a look at the rest of it below:
Man United Starting XI Prediction vs Real Sociedad (Europa League Group Stages)
Heaton; Shaw, Maguire, Lindelof, Dalot; McTominay, Fred; Rashford, Eriksen, Elanga; Ronaldo
Prediction: United 2, Real Sociedad 0
Red Devils should cruise here at home.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Bank (TheSportsBank.Net) and author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” as well as “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune, and he co-hosts the After Extra Time podcast, part of Edge of the Crowd Network. Follow him and the website on Twitter and Instagram.