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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
David Byrom

Do away goals still count in Real Sociedad vs Manchester United? Europa League rules for neutral venues

Manchester United face Real Sociedad in the Europa League this evening at a neutral venue.

Due to coronavirus restrictions in Spain, the game will take place at Juventus' Allianz Stadium.

The Spanish government have restrictions on people entering the country from the UK, meaning the game has had to be moved to Italy.

United's game is not the only tie to take place at a neutral venue, with Arsenal set to face Benfica in Rome and Spurs playing Wolfsberg in Budapest.

Yet the decision does rob Real Sociedad of home advantage for the tie, despite the fact the second leg looks set to take place at Old Trafford.

Manchester United squad train ahead of first-leg vs Real Sociedad

Covid has caused UEFA to rip up the European rulebook for the second season in a row, after last season's tournaments were played to a resolution over single-leg ties in chosen host cities in August.

With clubs being asked to rejig their plans and play in neutral venues, there will no doubt be plenty of sides feeling robbed of the home advantage they would usually get.

So does that mean that UEFA have also scrapped the controversial away goals rule for this season?

Do away goals still count in Real Sociedad vs Manchester United?

Despite some clubs playing in neutral venues, UEFA have decided that away goals will still count in European competitions, including the Europa League.

That means United can get a score draw in their 'away' leg this evening against Real Sociedad and go into the second leg with an advantage, despite the Spanish club not playing at their home ground.

With the second leg set to take place at Old Trafford, it also means the Reds will have the added bonus of home advantage in comparison to Real Sociedad, who will effectively be playing two games on the road.

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