Manchester United face a critical game in their faltering season on Thursday evening as they host Real Sociedad at Old Trafford (8pm kick-off). Ruben Amorim 's team know that their midweek Europa League last 16 second leg fixture is laced with plenty of jeopardy. The Reds will almost certainly miss out on Europe altogether next season unless they go on to win this year's Europa League in Bilbao on May 21. But the focus must first be on Sociedad, who they are currently level with on aggregate following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Spain last week . Below are some of the latest United headlines, as well as a view on each one; Liverpool are reportedly prepared to meet the buyout clause of Manchester United-linked Dean Huijsen. The Bournemouth defender is said to be seen as a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk. And iNews claim that the centre-back's buyout clause would be comfortable for the Merseysiders in a way it might not be for United and Tottenham who are also said to be interested. Isaac Seelochan of The Manchester Evening News says: "No one at United will be surprised if Huijsen chose Liverpool over United this summer, given the different positions of both clubs. The Reds will be hoping though that they become the destination for top talent like Huijsen again one day. "In truth, however, with this particular deal, centre-back is not a priority for United this summer. A new striker and at least two central midfielders are more essential for Amorim's team." It is claimed that Bayern Munich have joined Real Madrid in showing interest in United's Diogo Dalot. TEAMtalk claim that Dalot’s consistency and adaptability have impressed bosses at Bayern. Real’s interest has been noted for some time. The La Liga giants have reportedly been considering the Portuguese, along with Bayer Leverusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, if they fail in their efforts to sign top target Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool . Isaac Seelochan of The Manchester Evening News says: "Dalot has frustrated United fans for some time now, and it's baffling to see reports that Bayern and Real are interested. If either of these two European heavyweights offer a sizeable fee this summer, the Reds should snatch their hands off."