Real Sociedad are the underdogs as they visit Old Trafford to face Manchester United in Thursday’s Europa League last 16 second leg, and their task has become more difficult. La Real head coach Imanol Alguacil will be without midfielder Arsen Zakharyan against United after the UK government denied him entry into the country.
The battle for a spot in the Europa League quarter-finals is perfectly poised after the two teams played out a 1-1 draw in San Sebastian last week. Joshua Zirkzee had fired United into a second-half lead before Mikel Oyarzabal equalised from the penalty spot, profiting from a VAR review on a Bruno Fernandes handball. Old Trafford is primed to host the biggest game of Ruben Amorim‘s turbulent tenure yet, in which defeat would spell the end of the season in March.
But while Amorim’s options are depleted due to injuries, Alguacil has also been struck by a slice of bad luck in the build-up to the trip to Manchester.
According to El Diario Vasco, Zakharyan has been refused a visa by the UK government, ending the Russia international’s ‘odyssey’ to M16 in failure.
It’s claimed that the 21-year-old travelled to Paris on Wednesday with team-mate Hamari Traore, having been unable to fly with the rest of the La Liga club’s squad.
He reportedly hoped to receive a last-minute work permit that would allow him to feature against United.
However, Zakharyan was forced to remain in Paris while Traore flew to Manchester on Wednesday night after the UK granted his visa request.
The attack-minded midfield man’s efforts to expedite his travel ultimately reaped no rewards, and he returned to Spain ahead of the match.
Zakharyan’s representatives showed their appreciation to La Real for the club’s efforts to bring him to Manchester and confirmed he would be available for the next game.
“The important matches are coming up, and Arsen will be available for the next match against Rayo Vallecano,” they told El Diario Vasco.
Zakharyan has missed most of the season due to a tendon tear but has made an impact since sporadically returning to action in recent weeks.
The former Dynamo Moscow star has registered a goal and an assist in his last two appearances, including in La Real’s Europa League knockout play-off win against Midtjylland.
Despite Zakharyan’s absence, the visitors will be stronger at Old Trafford after the return of star player Martin Zubimendi, who missed the first leg through illness.
In the home dressing room, Amorim has lost Leny Yoro from the first leg, but Manuel Ugarte is expected to make his comeback in midfield.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk