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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Tyrone Marshall

Manchester United confirm venue change for Europa League fixture with Real Sociedad

The first leg of Manchester United's Europa League last-32 tie against Real Sociedad has been moved to a neutral venue.

United were due to travel to San Sebastian to take on the La Liga side next Thursday, but new restrictions introduced by the Spanish government restrict travel from England as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and that means the game can no longer be played in Spain.

The two clubs, working with UEFA, have now agreed that the first leg will held at Juventus's Allianz Stadium in Turin, with the game still taking place next Thursday (February 18), with a 5.55pm kick-off and still behind closed doors.

The second leg, on Thursday, February 25, remains unchanged and will take place at Old Trafford, with an 8pm kick-off.

A UEFA statement said: "UEFA can confirm that the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 first leg match between Real Sociedad de Fútbol and Manchester United FC will now take place at the Juventus Stadium in Turin. The date of the match (18 February 2021) and kick-off time (18:55CET) will remain the same.

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"UEFA would like to thank Real Sociedad de Fútbol and Manchester United FC for their close cooperation and assistance in finding a solution to the issue at hand, as well as the Italian Football Federation and Juventus for their support and agreeing to host the match in question."

United finished last season's Europa League competition in neutral venues in Germany in August, falling to a 1-0 defeat to Sevilla at the semi-final stage.

Their most recent visit to Turin saw them win 2-1 against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium in the 2018/19 Champions League group stages.

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