Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Champions League Group A encounter between Real Sociedad and Manchester United in San Sebastian. United can't quite release fireworks of celebration on bonfire night as their passage through to the next round is not yet guaranteed, but victory tonight would go a long way to seeing them qualify for the knockout rounds.

We'll start by looking at our hosts tonight, and things have been pretty rosy for Sociedad since their meeting with Manchester United a couple of weeks ago. They have scored 10 goals in their three matches since that night at Old Trafford, including an emphatic 5-0 rout of Osasuna in their most recent outing.

All in all, Sociedad should come into today's match a lot more confident than they were at Old Trafford. On that occasion, they had only just emerged from an eight-match winless streak, while tonight they go into the game having lost just once in their last five matches - and that was that narrow defeat against United.

The La Liga outfit have certainly experienced an improvement in form of late. Much like United's situation, Sociedad struggled to adapt to a new manager coming in to replace a successful former boss, with Jagoba Arrasante facing the unenviable task of following last season's Manager of the Year in Spain, Philippe Montanier.

That recent run has seem them rise to seventh in the domestic table, six points behind last season's finishing spot of fourth, but it is in Europe that their main troubles have come so far this campaign. Sociedad are yet to pick up a single point in Group A, losing to United, Bayer Leverkusen and Shakhtar Donetsk and scoring just one goal in the process.

That poor start has ensured that tonight's match is a must-win game for Arrasate's side. Defeat would see them eliminated from the Champions League with two games to spare, while even a draw might not be enough to save them depending on the result between Leverkusen and Shakhtar. If they plan on making an incredible comeback and qualifying for the next round, realistically they have to win at least two of their remaining games and, with two home matches left including tonight, those are probably their best chances.

They could not have wished for a better warm-up this weekend, either. Their 5-0 demolition over Osasuna was their biggest win in over a decade, and Antoine Griezmann was once again on the scoresheet to continue his devastating form in front of goal. Since the reverse fixture between these two sides, the French winger has scored five goals in three games.

Sociedad may not be a traditional powerhouse of European football, but they will be looking to protect their record of never having lost four consecutive games in continental competition this evening. Looking at just the Champions League, this is their seventh home match in the competition, and they have won two, drawn two and lost two of the previous six. That record isn't terrible, especially for a club of their stature, but it doesn't exactly point at a European fortress.

United, on the other hand, are one of Europe's powerhouses, and the Champions League has provided a welcome distraction for them at times this season. However, with David Moyes's shaky start now seemingly behind him, these games become a matter of continuing momentum rather than deflecting attention from domestic form.

The Red Devils come into tonight's match on a seven-game unbeaten streak in all competitions - unsurprisingly Moyes's most successful run since stepping in to Sir Alex Ferguson's rather substantial shoes. They still sit a disappointing eighth in the Premier League, but they are now just three points off second place.

In Europe they currently reside in a much more familiar position for them - top of the table. An away draw against Shakhtar is the only slight blot on their record so far, although a point in Ukraine was considered a decent result. They are the only unbeaten side in Group A, and three points tonight would take them to the magic 10-point mark that is usually enough to see a team qualify.

A win would not quite secure qualification with two games to spare, but it would take an unlikely set of results for them to be caught if they are successful tonight. One of their main strengths in comparison to the other teams in Group A this season has been their defence. United have conceded the fewest goals in the group, with David de Gea being beaten three times in the opening three games.

In terms of away form, United are unbeaten in their last three matches on their travels. They have, however, been beaten twice away from home already this season, and they won't thank me for reminding them that the defeats came at the homes of their two greatest rivals - Liverpool and Manchester City. In the Champions League, they haven't won any of their last three away games, losing to Galatasaray and drawing with both Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk.

One part of their away form that they will be looking to improve upon tonight is their record against Spanish teams in Spain. One of United's greatest ever nights came at the Camp Nou when late goals from Ole-Gunnar Solksjaer and Teddy Sheringham sealed an unprecedented treble in the 1999 Champions League final, but that was against German opposition. Against Spanish sides they have fared significantly worse, picking up just two wins and failing to win on nine occasions.

Of course, results have been of varied success in that time. Last season's draw against Real Madrid was considered a fine result, while their defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League the season before that was something of a humiliation. Still, it remains a fact that Moyes will want change that United's last win over a Spanish side in Spain was back in 2002, when David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy helped the Red Devils to a quarter-final win over Deportivo la Coruna.

One thing that United have done well in recent matches is to start quickly. In the reverse fixture of tonight's match a fortnight ago they were ahead within two minutes when Inigo Martinez inadvertently put the ball into the back of his own net, while they were 3-0 up in double quick time against Fulham at the weekend. They have scored in the opening quarter of the match in three of their last four victories.

TEAM NEWS: Right, the team news is in for both sides, and their is one man especially conspicuous by his absence as Robin van Persie is dropped in favour of Javier Hernandez. Ryan Giggs also starts for the visitors, completing a midfield foursome that also includes Kagawa, Valencia and Fellaini. Full team news for both sides on the way.

REAL SOCIEDAD STARTING XI: Bravo; C. Martínez, Mikel, Inigo, De la Bella; M. Bergara, Pardo, Zurutuza; Vela, Agirretxe, Griezmann

REAL SOCIEDAD SUBS: Zubikarai, Ansotegi, Cadamuro, Elustondo, X. Prieto, Chory Castro, Seferovi

MANCHESTER UNITED STARTING XI: De Gea; Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Fellaini, Giggs, Kagawa; Rooney, Hernandez

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Lindegaard, Buttner, Jones, Anderson, Nani, Young, Van Persie

So, what can we make of those two teams? Well, there aren't many surprises in the Sociedad starting lineup as Agirretxe starts up front having missed the reverse fixture at Old Trafford. He is accompanied by former Arsenal man Carlos Vela, who will be aware of Hernandez from international duty with Mexico, and the in-form Griezmann.

Interesting, Xabi Prieto is left on the bench for the hosts having also been left out of the starting lineup at the weekend against Osasuna. Arrasate may have one eye on a huge match against Real Madrid at the weekend, but their Champions League lives hang on this game, so you would think that me would see the inspirational midfielder at some point.

The dangerman for the hosts tonight will be Griezmann, though. I have already mentioned the Frenchman's recent scoring exploits and, with Rafael injured and Smalling in his place in the right-back spot, I am sure that he will be confident of finding the net once more tonight. The United back four will certainly have their hands for dealing with Sociedad's attacking trio.

Up front is also where the big news for United lies, with Van Persie left on the bench in favour of Hernandez. Van Persie missed the Old Trafford tie between these two teams but was expected to return tonight with United looking to pose more of a threat than they did in the 1-0 win a fortnight ago. Moyes could well be thinking ahead of the Premier League match against Arsenal with that selection, but he is in danger of underestimating Sociedad if that is the case. Still, it is not like United lack firepower up front. Rooney is enjoying some of the best form of his career, and Hernandez is one of the best finishers in English football.

In midfield, Giggs makes his 950th appearance for United, and the all-time Champions League appearance record keeps on tumbling every time he trots out in the competition. He will play alongside Fellaini in the middle of the park today, with Kagawa and Valencia keen to prove a point on the wings. It is a rather conservative central midfield choice for Moyes, with neither Fellaini or Giggs likely to make late bursts into the box, but considering this is a tough away fixture, it could be a wise move by the former Everton boss.

In defence, the trio of Evra, Ferdinand and Vidic have seen it all and done it all by now. De Gea is also fast establishing himself as one of the best young keepers in Europe, so the only real question mark hangs over the head of Smalling. He has proved himself to be adept on most occasions, but it will be interesting to see how he deals with Griezmann tonight.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff is San Sebastian, which means that it is time for the match prediction! This is not an easy one to call, despite the respective positions of both teams in Group A. They have both hit a good patch of form recently and, even with home advantage, United relied on an early own goal to see them past Sociedad last month. It will be a close one, but I think that United will have enough about them, particularly with the weapons that they can brings off the bench, to win this one tonight. I'm going to go for a 2-1 away win.

I have already talked about United's record against Spanish opposition, but what about Sociedad's against English teams? Well, there isn't much to say. They have only come up against English opposition on three occasions, including that 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford. Before then, their only experience of English teams was a 9-1 aggregate mauling at the hands of Liverpool in the 1975 UEFA Cup. Sociedad lost 3-1 at home before being thrashed 6-0 at Anfield.

The ideal scenario for Moyes this evening would be to take an early lead, get a bit of a cushion, and they withdraw some of his top players. Sunday's match against Arsenal looks like being a test of the title credentials of both teams, so it will be a very important one. Sociedad also have a tough game coming up against Real Madrid, and a win there would be a superb way to continue their recent revival.

We have a host of live commentaries on offer for you tonight as another special round of Champions League matches prepare to get underway. You can see a choice of our matches here, while I will also be keeping you up to date with major events from the matches around the continent, keeping a particularly close eye on the other Group A match between Leverkusen and Shakhtar.

The players come out of the tunnel to a tremendous noise inside. This has been dubbed by some as the biggest match in this stadium's 20-year history, so it is clear that United still have a certain aura about them even with the departure of Ferguson.

It is wet and windy in Spain tonight, conditions which could well favour United tonight. It is not dissimilar to a normal night in England's rainy city!

KICKOFF: United get us underway for this match as they look to continue their recent fine form. Can they move closer to qualification this evening or will Sociedad live to fight another day in the competition?

United have made a good start to this match. Not quite as good as two weeks' ago when they were already 1-0 ahead, but they are dominating the ball in this early stages and Sociedad are struggling to get hold of it at the moment.

UPDATE: There has been an early goal back in Manchester, while City have taken the lead against CSKA Moscow courtesy of a Sergio Aguero penalty. He just can't stop scoring at the moment.

A shaky moment early on for Bravo as he fumbles a high ball under pressure from Chris Smalling. It almost falls to the feet of Hernandez, but the Chilean keeper quickly dives on it to make up for his error.

This has really been an assertive start to this match from the visitors, who are playing as if they are the home team. They haven't seriously threatened the Sociedad goal yet, but they will be very happy with the start that they have made.

SHOT! United's best moment of the match so far results in Kagawa's strike being deflected just wide. It was a good run from Evra down the left and his cross was teed up to Kagawa by Rooney, but the Japan international's strike was scuffed and the deflection actually took it closer to the goal.

UPDATE: Another man with ties to Manchester, Robert Mancini, will not be happy right now. His Galatasaray side have gone 1-0 down to FC Copenhagen in Denmark.

Sociedad are beginning to see a little more of the ball now as they settle into the match. They aren't letting United have it so easily in midfield now, closing the visitors down more quickly.

The game is being played at a very slow tempo at the moment. For all of United's early pressure, they have not been able to get Rooney into the game at all, while Sociedad's dangerman Griezmann has also struggled to make an impact so far.

UPDATE: Olympiakos have taken the lead against Benfica over in Greece, with Konstantinos Manolas nodding his side ahead.

Rooney wins the ball back for United deep inside the Sociedad half and immediately looks for Kagawa on the edge of the box. The winger has Evra overlapping but chooses to go for goal himself, firing his well-struck shot straight at Bravo. Easy for the keeper.

Rooney is being forced to drop deeper and deeper as he looks to make an impact on this match. He is seeing more of the ball now, but the positions he is in pose little threat to the Sociedad defence. Not much action in either final third at the moment.

Sociedad make a swift counter-attack having played their way out of danger very well. Eventually a low cross is put behind for a corner, which comes to nothing, but that was the first time that the hosts have really looked like being able to string a promising move together.

UPDATE: Manchester City have now doubled their lead against CSKA Moscow, and it is the man of the moment Sergio Aguero who has doubled his personal tally for the night. The blue half of Manchester look destined for their first ever appearance in the latter stages of the Champions League.

Still no chances to report in this game. United's midfield and defence are both doing a good job of breaking up any Sociedad attacks that venture close to their third.

Inigo Martinez is hacked down by Wayne Rooney and duly awarded the free kick by the ref. The Spaniard stays down and wants Rooney booked for the challenge, however, which prompts the ref to walk over and tell him in no uncertain terms to get up. It was a poor challenge from Rooney, but it is good to see the referee doing that.

Sociedad have their best sight of goal so far as Agirretxe plays the ball out to Zurutuza before getting himself into the box for the return pass. It is a little behind the striker when it comes to him, and he can't steer his effort on target. That wasn't the easiest of chances by any means, but it is the first time that Sociedad have even looked like threatening the United goal.

YELLOW CARD! The referee brings out the first card of the match and flashes it to Marouane Fellaini, although the Belgian can feel a little hard done by. It was certainly a foul, but a booking seems a little harsh.

UPDATE: Things just keep on getting better and better for Manchester City, who have now gone 3-0 up within half an hour. Alvaro Negredo got the goal this time, but Aguero was once again involved as he set his strike partner up. Could Pellegrini's men be on course for another 7-0 rout?

Really disappointing final product from Smalling as he does well to skip away from a tackle before passing it straight to a defender when he could have gone further forward himself and put a cross into the box. It just isn't happening for either side in the final third at the moment.

Rooney swings a good ball into the box from a corner and Vidic looks likely to get on the end of it until he is stopped in his tracks by De La Bella. It looks like a push to me, but neither Vidic nor his teammates claim for a penalty. Those are the types of foul you will never get at a corner.

Support defending from Inigo Martinez as he has to be very alert to deny Hernandez at the front post. Kagawa drills a dangerous ball into the six yard box and Hernandez does what he does best by gambling at the front post and seemingly getting a yard on this man with some clever movement. Martinez was up to the challenge on this occasions, however, making an important block to send it behind for a corner.

Martinez tries to make a difference at the other end as he threads a pass inside the full-back for De La Bella to run on to. There is too much on the pass, however, and it rolls harmlessly out for a goal kick.

Carlos Vela whips a dangerous ball into the box and De Gea isn't the most convincing as he comes to punch it. He doesn't get all of the ball, but just gets enough on it to put it behind for a corner. The United keeper isn't known as being the best when coming for high deliveries, and he showcased that weakness again there.

UPDATE: Arguably the most glamorous tie of the night is taking place in Turin between Juventus and Real Madrid, and the hosts have just taken the lead through an Arturo Vidal penalty.

Good defending from United as Vela catches Evra out of position and races through on goal. He tries to cut slightly in in order to give him a better shooting angle, but Vidic makes an important sliding tackle to put the ball behind for a corner.

CLOSE! Sociedad are starting to come into this game a bit more now, and they aren't far from taking the lead there. De La Bella cuts inside and beats Valencia too easily before curling a low effort towards the bottom corner. De Gea is unsighted and can't do much about it, but luckily for his is skims just past the post.

This is no additional time at the end of the first half, and that is understandable as not much has really happened yet. This game just hasn't got going so far, with neither side creating a good chance in the opening 45 minutes. Both defences have been on top, and you feel that the match is in desperate need of a goal to liven things up. Unfortunately, there was no hint of one in the first half.

United probably just about edged that first half, but Sociedad certainly came into it a bit more in the closing stages. The visitors have enjoyed the lion's share of the possession, controlling the tempo of the match for large periods, but the likes of Rooney, Valencia and Hernandez haven't been able to create much in the attacking third so far.

Sociedad came closest to breaking the deadlock right at the end of the half when De La Bella skipped past Valencia before curling a shot just wide, but that was by far the main highlight of an uneventful first half. It was also the first time that Sociedad had even hinted of threatening De Gea's goal, with the Spanish keeper enjoying a largely comfortable game so far.

United haven't exactly provided much more, with Kagawa's two shots all they really have to speak of from the first half. An away draw in Europe wouldn't necessarily be a bad result for United, but this match is there to be won and Moyes will be keen to keep up his side's recent morale-boosting form. So far, this has been a lacklustre and enthusiasm-sapping performance. They need to up the tempo significantly in the second half.

That being said, the visitors will be wary in the opening stages of the second half. Sociedad had a purple path in the 10 minutes or so straight after the break at Old Trafford, and a similar spell in this game could be enough to take control of the match.

The good news for United if Sociedad do have a go in the second half is that it should create more space for them in an attacking sense. They haven't been able to break down the hosts' defence so far but, with a win being the only real option for Arrasate's side if they want to stay in the competition, they will have to be a little more adventurous in the second period.

UPDATE: There was a goal just before half time back in Manchester and it went the way of the visitors CSKA Moscow. Doumbia scored in stoppage time to make it 3-1 to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Neither side deserve to be in the lead after that first half, but this is a match that is certainly there for the taking. Whoever starts strongest in this second half could well go on to control the rest of the match, so the next 15 minutes or so could be very important.

KICKOFF: We're back underway here as the hosts kick us off for the second half. We will see a goal in the upcoming 45 minutes? I sure hope so, or at least a little more excitement than we had in the first half!

SHOT! Bright start from the hosts as they immediately launch an attack. A cross into the box is half-cleared by Evra and the ball drops to Pardo on the edge of the box. He takes it on the first-time volley and makes good enough contact with his effort, but it bounces a couple of yards wide.

Sociedad have definitely cranked the tempo up a little at the start of this second half. The hosts have put a number of testing crosses into the United box and are committing a good amount of men forward too.

WHAT A MISS! Oh my word, what an incredible miss that is! Kagawa steals a yard inside the box and sends a dangerous low ball into the box. Hernandez has escaped his marker and has what looks to be a simple tap-in from six yards, but he blazes his effort high over the crossbar with the goal gaping. If United could have chosen one man for that to fall to, it would have been Hernandez, what an incredible miss. In fairness, it did bobble a little before reaching him, but he still should have scored.

YELLOW CARD! Evra goes into the book for a clumsy and late challenge on Vela. He can have no complaints there.

Sociedad have resumed control of the match following that Hernandez miss, which I am still trying to make sense of. The Mexican marksman is usually such an impressive finisher, but all of his prolific nous just seemed to desert him there. He looked over to the linesman in the hope that his blushes would be partially spared by the flag, but he was well onside.

UPDATE: Former Man Utd favourite Cristiano Ronaldo has levelled things up for Real Madrid against Juventus, while Negredo has also got his second of the match for City against CSKA Moscow. Pellegrini's side now lead 4-1 and have both Aguero and Negredo on a hat-trick.

United are beginning to ease themselves into the second half now, and it is now following a similar pattern to the first half. Still the tempo is rather slow, but surely one team will go for it soon?

Smalling is fortunate to escape a yellow card for a heavy challenge in midfield. He did get the ball, and 10 years ago it would have been considered a fine challenge, but nowadays you're lucky not to be cautioned for such tackles.

It opens up for Rooney in midfield and he has as much space ahead of him as he has had for the entire match. Hernandez makes a clever run off the shoulder of the last defender, but Rooney's pass is overhit and runs through to the keeper.

UPDATE: The two most expensive footballers of all time have done the business for Real Madrid in Turin against Juventus. It is now 2-1 to the Spanish giants after Gareth Bale added to Ronaldo's earlier goal.

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Very interesting move from David Moyes as Wayne Rooney makes way, perhaps with Arsenal on Sunday in mind, to be replaced by Robin van Persie. Ashley Young also comes on for the visitors to take the place of Javier Hernandez.

OFF THE POST! The two subs almost make an immediate impact as Kagawa, playing in a more central role now, feeds the ball out to Young on the left. The winger delivers a low cross to the back post where Van Persie is waiting, but the Dutch striker's effort came off the outside of the post. He had quite a bit of the goal to aim at there despite being at a tight angle, so he would have been disappointed not to have scored there.

REAL SOCIEDAD SUB: Just before that Van Persie chance, Sociedad made a sub of their own as Gonzalo Castro came on in place of Agirretxe.

The United subs certainly seem to have made a difference here. Once again Van Persie is involved here as he beats his man inside the area before pulling the ball back into the middle. Unfortunately for the visitors, his pass is behind Kagawa, and Sociedad are able to clear.

What an incredible save that is from Bravo to deny Van Persie from the spot. The Dutchman put a lot on his shot and it was pretty much as far in the corner as he could have hoped to put it, but Bravo launched himself across the goal to make a fabulous save. Justice is done in the end as Young went to ground far too easily in the box, and not for the first time. I wonder if Moyes will continue having "words" with the winger over his diving following that latest piece of simulation.

REAL SOCIEDAD SUB: Xabi Prieto comes onto the field to replace Ruben Pardo in the middle of the park. Can Sociedad build on that penalty save and nick a winner here?

YELLOW CARD! Bergara picked up a yellow card shortly after Van Persie's missed penalty.

I've just seen a replay of the penalty, and it actually came off the post before bouncing off the hands of Bravo. I thought it looked too good a save to be true! Whatever happened, it is still a missed penalty for United, and they could have missed their best chance of winning this one.

CLOSE! That is not far away at all for the hosts. Xabi Prieto is given far too much time to turn and shoot inside the box, with no United player closing him down. His shot is on the way wide but Vela sticks out his chest and almost turns it into the top corner. In the end it flew inches wide, but that was almost a brilliant piece of improvisation from the former Arsenal man.

Sociedad have a promising break from a United corner and Vela tries to find Castro, who is in acres of space running into the box. His header is nodded back to the keeper by Ferdinand, but De Gea spills the ball which almost allows Castro to nick in.

That was an action-packed spell! Both sides look a lot more likely to score now, and from being confident we would see a 0-0 draw midway through the second half, I would now be surprised if there wasn't a goal sooner rather than later. This is a much better contest now.

Gonzalez makes an important clearance inside his own six yard box, putting the ball behind for a corner after Valencia had drilled it into a very dangerous area. The United subs have certainly given them an extra dimension since coming on.

REAL SOCIEDAD SUB: Griezmann was touted as the dangerman before this match, but he hasn't really been able to show when he is so highly rated tonight. He makes way to be replaced by Seferovic.

UPDATE: Things haven't just heated up here in San Sebastian, the goals have been going in around Europe too. Man City now lead CSKA Moscow 4-2, Juventus have equalised against Real Madrid, Bayern Munich have opened the scoring against Plzen and PSG are drawing 1-1 with 10-man Anderlecht.

We have just five minutes left in this match now, can anyone find what would surely be a winning goal in the closing stages? United are looking most dangerous right now, but Sociedad are also looking to break in numbers whenever possible.

It is interesting to see how Sociedad are approaching these closing stages. As I just mentioned, they are committing a good amount of players forward on the break, but they aren't taking risks unless they sense that United are short at the back. For a team that could be on the brink of elimination from this competition, I find that surprising. Perhaps they have already accepted their fate?

Late blow for United as they are forced to finish the match with just 10 men after Fellaini receives a second yellow card. The Belgian has a right to feel a little aggrieved at that as neither of his challenges have warranted yellow cards. I think it is simply a case of totting up the fouls, but it is still harsh.

MANCHESTER UNITED SUB: Moyes responds to that red card by bringing on Phil Jones to plug the gap left by Fellaini. He replaces Kagawa.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match.

That is a good chance for the hosts to steal a late win, but Seferovic's touch just lets him down. The striker was in space inside the box, only to mis-control the pass towards him, before being forced out wide and slamming his shot into the side netting from an impossible angle.

That one certainly won't go down as a classic by any stretch of the imagination, but United will view it as a decent away point that nudges them ever closer to their goal of qualifying from Group A. The other game in the group tonight also finished goalless, which means a win for United in their next match against Bayer Leverkusen would put them through to the knockout rounds.

The visitors were not at their best tonight but they still created two really good chances and, based on that fact, they should have won tonight. Javier Hernandez somehow missed from six yards out with the goal gaping, while Van Persie hit the post from the penalty spot after Ashley Young had gone down far too easily inside the box. They were chances that both players would usually tuck away with their eyes closed, but on a night lacking in quality on the whole, it was almost fitting that they were unable to score.

For Sociedad, they pick up their first point of their Champions League campaign and are just about still mathematically capable of qualifying, although their goal difference makes such a situation highly unlikely. A draw against United is by no means a poor result for the hosts, but they really needed a win this evening.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening. Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's match as United extend their unbeaten streak to eight matches and move ever closer to qualifying for the knockour rounds of the Champions League with a goalless draw against Sociedad. Stick around for our match report, reaction and analysis, which will all be up on the site shortly, and be sure to check back in with us for another full round of Champions League games tomorrow night. Until then, though, it is goodbye from me!