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Imanol lguacil confident Real Sociedad can win at Old Trafford

Mikel Oyarzabal scored Sociedad's equaliser last week
Mikel Oyarzabal scored Sociedad's equaliser last week

Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil is confident his side can beat Manchester United and reach the Europa League quarter-finals.

Mikel Oyarzabal equalised from the penalty spot after Joshua Zirkzee put United ahead as Sociedad claimed a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Sociedad are languishing in the bottom half of LaLiga, having lost at home to Sevilla at the weekend, but Alguacil fancies their chances of winning at Old Trafford and getting to their first European quarter-final in 36 years.

He said: "It's a huge game. They want to be in the quarters. They dream as well same as we do.

"The game at home was close. I think right now we are still in the tie, alive in the tie and I certainly think we have chances tomorrow.

"It’s a key game for us, I wouldn’t say it’s the most important but it’s important. Every game is important.

"It’s a special occasion in the stadium, club we are playing against and the fact there’s a place in the quarters up for grabs."

Earlier this week, Manchester United revealed plans to replace Old Trafford with a new 100,000-seater stadium.

Co-owner Jim Ratcliffe also conducted an interview where he said some players are "not good enough" and "probably are overpaid" in the build up to the game.

Despite all the talk surrounding the Red Devils and their poor season, Alguacil believes they will be fully focused on the task in hand.

He added: "Nobody talks about Sociedad. That’s what it’s like. We are used to that, Man United are a massive club. Tomorrow I’m convinced that they will be really going into it trying to win like we are.

"We will see a team which is super competitive, nothing surprised me how they played last week. Their way of competing, the way they do in the Premier League.

"Fantastic team, great players, well coached. Arsenal couldn’t win here so that means this team works well and performs well.

"In the Premier League they’ve not had the best results but I’ve seen matches where their performances have deserved more."

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