Gary Neville has shared his prediction for Manchester United’s Europa League journey. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
The prospect of Ruben Amorim salvaging a positive end to his maiden campaign at Old Trafford is slipping further out of the realm of possibility with every passing week.
Since taking the reins last November, the Manchester United boss has watched on aggrieved from the touchline while his side exited the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup all while dropping further down the Premier League table than fans could’ve ever anticipated.
The general approach from the United faithful is that Amorim has a free pass this term. Firstly, because he took over a side in complete disarray when succeeding Erik ten Hag, and secondly because he has yet to be sufficiently backed by the board, having only been granted two winter signings – one of which, Ayden Heaven, had not made a senior appearance at the time of his move from Arsenal.
Still, progressing in the Europa League, which poses as the club’s last chance to claim silverware, should be a non-negotiable. United’s team gulfs Real Sociedad’s in terms of quality on paper – and don’t even get us started on the money spent on the current crop of players.
A 1-1 draw between the teams in the first leg has left everything to play for in Thursday’s reverse fixture in M16. Gary Neville, who correctly predicted United’s scoreline against Arsenal and their goalscorer being Bruno Fernandes, has now issued his verdict ahead of the crunch European tie.
Neville’s United vs Sociedad prediction
Speaking to Sky Sports on Sunday, the former skipper said: “There’s this feeling that, ‘Oh, United and Tottenham are going to end up in the final of the Europa League’.
“They’re going to have to start playing an awful lot better than they are [to reach the final], because the other teams in this competition, anybody that’s half-decent and half-organised that comes and plays here [at Old Trafford look good].
“I was here last week against Fulham. Fulham won the game in the end on penalties, but they were the better team. And that happens regularly. Manchester United only just beat Ipswich. So don’t be surprised if Real Sociedad come here on Thursday and have a lot of joy.”
“I do actually think United will go through,” he asserted. “But they’re going to have to improve enormously from the levels they’re at to win the Europa League. But to prioritise it… what other option has he got? Because it’s the only trophy that he can win.
“They’re not going to go down United. They’re too far away from relegation. So the league in some ways, I mean, other than pride, is effectively just get through it as quick as you possibly can.”
“It’s disrespectful of United, and a little bit of Tottenham as well” 💭
Gary Neville says Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur shouldn’t underestimate the competition in the Europa League 👇 pic.twitter.com/ONPhHV92cf
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 9, 2025
Footage courtesy of Sky Sports.
