Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rates their Europa League tie with Real Sociedad as a Champions League clash.

La Real are currently top of La Liga, ahead of the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

United will be away in the first leg of the tie, on Thursday, February 18, with the second leg due to be played at Old Trafford a week later.

“It sounds like a Champions League draw and it's definitely one that keeps everyone on their toes," he told United's official website.

“They're the team that's top of La Liga at the moment ahead of teams like Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

"I've watched them a couple of times and they're an exciting team and it'll be a test for us.

“We've got some difficult games around that period. It's not a time we can switch off and feel it's an easy Europa League draw, this feels like a Champions League draw – they're top of the Spanish league. We just have to stay focused."

Manchester City great David Silva now plays for Sociedad - as does former United prospect Adnan Januzaj.

“They're hard-working with high intensity and some high-quality players and they've got our own Adnan of course," Solskjaer added. “They also have some experienced players and some young, up and coming players.

“Everyone who plays against Man United wants to show what could have been and Adnan's done well in his career.

"It's always difficult to see where you're going to go after Man United and he's one of those boys that you hope would make it here. It wasn't to be so now we'll have to make sure that he's not going to enjoy his return!"