Manchester United face Villarreal on Tuesday in a crunch Champions League group stage encounter at the Estadio de la Cerámica. The Red Devils will try to increase their quality of play after their shambolic defeat by the hands of Watford.
This will be the Reds’ first match since head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stepped down following a disastrous 4-1 Premier League defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road last weekend, while Villarreal drew 1-1 with Celta Vigo in their recent La Liga match.
Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane will both miss the trip to Spain due to injury which will be a major miss for Manchester United.
It’s no secret that Solskjaer has had a terrible few months, and you couldn’t help but feel sad when the news arrived that the club had split with him. Despite a string of poor results, it must be remembered that Solskjaer has brought stability to Old Trafford.
Our focus switches to the #UCL 👊#MUFC pic.twitter.com/8E9R34S1Zm
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 22, 2021
With Michael Carrick in charge, albeit for a limited time, it is now up to him and the players to finally deliver the goods and start playing the way we know they can, beginning with Villarreal on Tuesday night.
The Spanish side has had a slow start in La Liga, currently sitting in 12th place. Despite the fact that it will be far from easy, United will go into the game as favorites, and with a qualification from the group likely to come down to the wire, it’s a game United cannot afford to lose if they are to progress to the last 16.
Must Read– United’s game against Villarreal declared as a high-risk game
In many ways, an early goal could decide this game, and if United can score one, it will take a lot of pressure off the players and allow them to play more freely and confidently. If Ronaldo, Fernandes, and the rest of the team show up and play like we know they can, United will have more than enough to get over the line and leave Spain with all three points.
Villarreal vs Manchester United:: Head-to-head
Total games played between the two sides: 6
Manchester United wins: 1
Villarreal wins:1
Draws: 4
United is going through a terrible time but will be looking to bounce back. In the Champions League, the Reds earned an important point against Atalanta in our most recent away match, and Carrick will be hoping for a similar outcome on Tuesday.
On Saturday, Villarreal and Celta Vigo drew 1-1 in La Liga. Unai Emery’s team won both home and away against Young Boys in Europe before the international break, putting them in a seven-point tie with United in the group.
They also drew 2-2 with Atalanta. However, they have only won once in their last six games in the Spanish top division.
Our Last Meeting with the Yellow submarines: In our most recent meeting, Alex Telles’ superb volley and Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury-time winner ensured United overcame a one-goal deficit to earn three crucial points in Group F.
The Reds and the Yellow Submarine have drawn all five of their previous meetings. Villarreal, on the other hand, defeated United on penalties in the Europa League final last season. All four matches leading up to that finally ended in a 0-0 draw, so a tough match may be expected in Spain.
Villarreal Form Guide: L, D, L, W, W, D
Manchester United Form Guide: W, L, W, D, L, L
Villarreal vs Manchester United: Team News
Manchester United
Mason Greenwood tested positive for COVID-19 and will likely miss Tuesday’s game. The French combo of Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane will not play in Spain since they are currently sidelined due to long-term ailments.
Edinson Cavani was absent from United’s squad against Watford on Saturday and is a doubt for the match against Villarreal, as is Luke Shaw, who appeared to suffer another concussion on Saturday.
Michael Carrick who is our interim manager will be making some important changes for this match. We expect Donny Van de Beek and Eric Bailly to start for the team and play a crucial role.
Jesse Lingard is also pushing for a starting spot, although Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho could all be called up to back up Cristiano Ronaldo, with Fred likely to return to midfield.
Injured: Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw
Doubtful: Edinson Cavani
Suspended: None
Villarreal
For the hosts, star striker Gerard Moreno, who scored in the Europa League final against United in May, appears to be out. Their number seven has been out since late October due to a strained hamstring. He has missed the team’s last seven games due to injury.
Loading ⏳#UCL pic.twitter.com/AAR5sh60nl
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) November 22, 2021
Emery will also make changes as Yeremi Pino and Francis Coquelin make their way back into the starting XI.
Arnaut Danjuma and Etienne Capoue’s fitness will be an issue, although they are expected to be fit on time for the clash
Injured: Gerard Moreno
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Opposition Key Man: Arnaut Danjuma
When the Spanish team visited Manchester in the Champions League in September, Danjuma was the finest player on the field.
But UEFA’s man-of-the-match trophy and Ronaldo’s coveted No.7 jersey were his only rewards as United recovered from behind to win due to Ronaldo’s injury-time goal.
Danjuma has already scored seven goals and provided two assists in 15 appearances for Villarreal and is a joy to watch. Such are his exploits that top clubs like Liverpool are already scouting him for his remarkable talent.
He can cause huge trouble for the United-full backs down the left flank and like the Watford game, they can’t afford to lose grip at the back-line.
Our Prediction for the Match:
With Solskjaer not at the helm, Michael Carrick will have a difficult task to guide the team to victory. We still hope that the United players will try to improve their performance after the recent Watford disaster. Villarreal has made things difficult for United in their previous meeting and we expect this clash to be another tight contest.
Our Scoreline for the Match: Villarreal 1-2 Manchester United
