Donny van de Beek will be in the starting lineup at Manchester United on Thursday evening in the Europa League match with Real Sociedad. It is the first starting place of the season for the 25-year-old midfielder. Manager Erik ten Hag has also made a place in his starting eleven for Cristiano Ronaldo and former Eredivisie players Lisandro Martínez and Christian Eriksen. The match in San Sebastián starts at 6.45 pm.
Under the bar at United is of course David de Gea, while the defense is formed by Diego Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Martínez and Luke Shaw. Casemiro and Eriksen start as defensive midfielders, with Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes and Van de Beek before them. Ronaldo is the deep striker. At the home team there is a base place for former FC Groningen striker Alexander Sörloth.
?? Just in: this evening’s United lineup…#MUFC || #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) Nov 3, 2022
Van de Beek was not yet in the base at United this season. Due to an injury, he missed all games in September and October, after which he made his comeback last week against Sheriff Tiraspol (3-0 win). Ten Hag indicated after that match that he was happy to have Van de Beek again. “He’s been out for a long time. I’m glad I was able to give him and Harry Maguire minutes because they need playing time to get in shape and we need them in the coming weeks. We need goals and I know that Donny is very good at choosing position to score goals, but he can also switch very well.” the Mancunians.
Manchester United are already sure of a winter break in the Europa League. The English club is currently in second place in Group E with twelve points. The still clear Real Sociedad is three points above that. If the Ten Hag team wins with at least two points difference from the Basque club on Thursday evening, it ensures a group win.
Line-up Manchester United: DeGea; Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Garnacho, Fernandes, Van de Beek; Ronaldo.