Travel and quarantine restrictions mean Real Sociedad will host Manchester United at Juventus’ Allianz Stadium tonight instead of their home ground in San Sebastian.
Albiston conceded that it is a bit strange for Real Sociedad to be forced to play their home leg in Turin while asking them to go to Old Trafford next week for the second leg.
He admitted that it could be perceived as an unfair advantage for Manchester United, but believes that with no crowd allowed at Old Trafford that argument is more or less nullified.
The former defender said on MUTV: “It’s very strange obviously but strange times for the best part of a year now.
“They might feel a bit hard done by playing in Italy for their home game and then coming over here next week.
“You could argue that it is a little bit of an unfair advantage but we have got no fans here anyway and so it almost nullifies it.”
He admitted that playing in Turin could be an advantage for Manchester United, but insisted that Real Sociedad are a solid team who the Red Devils cannot take lightly under any circumstances.
“Playing in Turin might be a slight advantage for us, but they are still a team to be reckoned with.
“They have got plenty of European experience and we can’t treat them lightly.”
Manchester United are coming into the game on the back of a poor run of form, which has seen them win just once in their last five league games.
