Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits he is wary of the threat posed by Real Sociedad and David Silva, despite Manchester United taking a commanding lead into the second leg of their Europa League knockout tie.
United were handed a difficult assignment after being drawn against Sociedad in the round of 32 but made light work of their Spanish opposition during the first meeting in Turin last week, as a Bruno Fernandes double and further goals from Marcus Rashford and Daniel James securing an emphatic 4-0 win.
Despite the huge advantage heading into the return tomorrow evening, Solskjaer admits he is wary of the quality in the Sociedad side and has picked out former Manchester City midfielder David Silva as the visitor’s main threat ahead of the second leg.
“We found a nice way of finding space in behind them in Turin and hopefully we can find some spaces this time to hurt them,” said Solskjaer at his pre-match press conference.
“But we know we have to defend well because they’re very technically good when David Silva is out there you have to be concentrated the whole time.”
Solskjaer handed a debut to new signing Amad Diallo as a late substitute during the first encounter between the two sides, with the winger having completed a £37m from Atalanta during the January window.
There was also a first Red Devils’ appearance for academy starlet Shola Shoretire during the weekend win over Newcastle, though Solskjaer remained coy on whether either player would be handed starting opportunities tomorrow.
“Amad and Shola will be in the squad but I’m not going to tell you if they’re starting or not.”
United will be without a number of senior players for tomorrow’s clash with Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek and Edinson Cavani all remaining sidelined, and the Red Devils could look to rotate their options ahead of a huge meeting with Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.
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