Manchester United transfer news LIVE Cristiano Ronaldo updates plus Man Utd vs Real Sociedad early team news

Manchester United play Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday night.

United posted a fourth successive Premier League win for the first time since April 2021 with victory over the table-topping Gunners, meaning confidence remains high in the camp ahead of the start of the group stage fixtures later this week.

United missed out on qualification for the Champions League this season, meaning a good Europa League campaign could result in them returning to Europe's premier club competition next season.

The Reds, who reached the final of the Europa League last year, losing to Villarreal on penalties at the end of the 2020/21 campaign, will be confident of making a winning start to their group stage schedule when they face Real Sociedad on Thursday night.

The win over Arsenal optimised the progress that they are making under Erik ten Hag and they will be keen to keep that going.

Follow the blog below for all of the day's breaking United news.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag cut Phil Jones and Brandon Williams from his Europa League squad due to their prolonged recovery timescales from injury.

The two defenders were excluded from United's 25-man squad and although Williams is a locally-trained player he no longer qualifies for Uefa's 'B list' as he was born before September 1 2001.

In finalising his squad, Ten Hag had to select two players from an injured quartet of Jones, Williams, Axel Tuanzebe and Facundo Pellistri. United sources expect Tuanzebe and Pellistri to return sooner than Jones and Williams.

Ajax sporting director Gerry Hamstra has blasted United following Antony's move to Old Trafford last week.

The Brazilian joined the club on transfer deadline day, leaving the Dutch giants with barely any time to