Thu Mar 06 16:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Real Sociedad’s Remiro: Manchester United Loss Fueled Success, Premier League More Physical

**San Sebastian, Spain** – Real Sociedad and Spanish national team goalkeeper Alex Remiro has revealed how a 4-0 defeat to Manchester United in 2021 served as a catalyst for his team’s improved performance. In an interview, Remiro discussed the transformative impact of that match, his career trajectory, and his commitment to mental health in youth sports.

Remiro, who has kept more clean sheets than any other La Liga goalkeeper this season, credits Manchester United’s superior physicality as a wake-up call. He stated that the loss highlighted a significant gap in Real Sociedad’s strength and conditioning, prompting a club-wide commitment to improved fitness and strength training. Remiro himself has gained weight since that match, increasing his mass from 78kg to 84.5kg.

The goalkeeper also shared insights into his career, highlighting a challenging loan spell at Levante where he sought psychological help to overcome self-doubt. This experience has informed his current social project aimed at supporting young players and their parents, focusing on reducing pressure and fostering a healthy environment in youth football. Remiro emphasized the importance of parental support and the dangers of placing excessive expectations on young athletes.

Remiro also spoke about his admiration for former teammates Mikel Merino and Martin Ødegaard, now excelling at Arsenal, and his idols David de Gea and David Silva. He compared La Liga and the Premier League, noting the latter’s more physical style and increased goal-scoring opportunities, suggesting that referees in La Liga could allow for more physical contact.

Looking ahead to Thursday’s match against Manchester United, Remiro expressed his belief that both clubs are striving to recapture their former glory, facing similar challenges in consistency. He acknowledged the potential and talent within the Manchester United squad but noted their struggles to maintain consistent performance.

The interview concluded with Remiro reflecting on his experience as part of Spain’s victorious Euro 2020 squad, where he didn’t feature but supported his teammates fully. He underscored his understanding of the coach’s decision to give other players game time, respecting the competitive nature of international tournaments.

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