On Wednesday night Manchester United will be hoping to end the season with a big trophy in their hands when they face Villarreal in the Europa League finals in Gdansk, Poland.
The Reds go into the game with a 2-1 triumph over Wolves in the Premier League, while Villarreal was crushed 2-1 by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in La Liga after a few late goals.
Harry Maguire stays a major doubt for the match with a lower leg injury, in any case, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes are both generally expected to get back to the playing eleven for United.
The Europa League may not really have been at the highest point of everybody’s wish list this season, however, playing Villarreal on Wednesday night presents Solskjaer an extraordinary chance to take a big trophy back to Old Trafford and in doing so end the season on a high.
Having effectively taken out Arsenal in the semi-finals a month ago, Villarreal is no mugs and the Reds should be at their absolute best should they wish to win the Europa League.
The Reds away form has been especially great this season and it will take another great performance like we have seen against high-class teams like Paris Saint Germain and AC Milan to beat Villarreal and win the Europa League.
The League season has been over at Old Trafford, winning the Europa League would be a great chance season on a high. It might not have been the season we had all expected yet completing second in the Premier League table is not easy at all and in the event that Solskjaer can include winning the Europa League along with everything else, we feel it would make this season a fruitful one for the club.
Villarreal versus Manchester United: Head-To-Head Record
The Villarreal versus Manchester United Europa League finals will be the fifth gathering between the two teams. Each of the four games between the two outfits has happened in the Champions League.
Every one of the four games has finished 0-0 with the two teams first playing in the 2005/06 season, and the last one coming in the 2008/09 season. Man United has faced Villarreal a bigger number of times without scoring more than any other opponent in their club history.
The Red Devils will play in their eighth European Competition final, losing just twice, both against Barcelona in 2009 and 2011. Villarreal then again will play their first significant final.
Villarreal Current Form Guide: W-D-L-W-W-L
Manchester United Current Form Guide: L-W-L-L-D-W
Villarreal Europa League Form Guide: W-W-W-W-W-D
Manchester United Europa League Form Guide: D-W-W-W-W-L
Villarreal vs Manchester United: Team News
Villarreal
Villarreal manager Unai Emery wouldn’t ignore Chukwueze’s odds of playing into the Europa League Final, the attacker is as yet uncertain for the important match.
Tottenham Hotspur loanee Juan Foyth is likewise going through a test of skill and endurance to be fit for the final because of a hamstring injury he suffered against Arsenal, so Gaspar should keep the wing position.
Emery has a major call to make for the goalkeeping spot as Geronimo Rulli didn’t see convincing to play over the two legs of the semi-final, so Sergio Asenjo may get a chance to play at that position. Carlos Bacca and Paco Alcacer are both competing for the opportunity to support the powerful Moreno up top; so Alcacer will expect to return.
Focused on #UELfinal.#ItsOurTime pic.twitter.com/6in9smsZK8
— Villarreal CF English (@Eng_Villarreal) May 23, 2021
Francis Coquelin covered for the suspended Etienne Capoue at the Emirates the last break, yet the player’s return should see him partner midfield maestro Dani Parejo in Gdansk.
Injured: Juan Foyth
Major Doubts: Chukwueze, Rulli
Suspended: No player suspended
Manchester United
Concerning United, Solskjaer has offered a skeptical update on the accessibility of Harry Maguire, who keeps on fighting back from a lower leg injury yet is currently thought to be probably not going to be passed fit for the finals.
Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof will be the main center-back for United while Phil Jones passes up a great opportunity again, and David de Gea is required to get approval over Dean Henderson.
Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw will certainly take the other two defensive slots, while Fred was not included because of a minor thump however ought to be fine to play alongside Scott McTominay.
A European final awaits… 🏆#MUFC #UEL pic.twitter.com/WGQLwumGUf
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 24, 2021
A total upgrade of the forward line should see Amad Diallo and Daniel James clear a path for Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba. While Mata gets no opportunity of keeping his place over Bruno Fernandes in spite of his winner at Molineux.
Greenwood and Edinson Cavani are both very much refreshed and frantic for their opportunity to start, however with five goals in his last three European matches, the veteran Uruguayan is most likely to start against Villarreal.
Injured: Martial, Jones
Major Doubt: Maguire
Suspended: No player suspended
Opponent Danger Man:
Gerard Moreno is the Spanish side’s greatest danger having scored an amazing 29 goals this season and whenever United can stop him it will go far to halting Villarreal.
Villarreal has scored a goal in each of their past 13 matches in the Europa League. Moreno has been contributing to every goal. He has scored six and assisted four in the past 13 matches.
Moreno has been further supported by powerful winger Alcacer. If United wants to seal the win, they should be strong defensively so that they can keep the star striker quiet.
Our Prediction Of This Big Match:
This is the toughest match to predict but United’s current form and also their big wins in the Europa League show that they can pass the test. United have previously won the Europa League under the helm of Mourinho which shows that they have the experience to perform at this big stage.
We expect this game to be a tough one but United will edge Villarreal to win the prestigious Europa League trophy.
Our Prediction: Villarreal 1-2 Manchester United
