On Wednesday 29th September Manchester United take on last season’s Europa League winners at Old Trafford in the second group stage game of the Champions League. After what has been a disappointing few games for the club, this game has become something of a must win.
The Spanish side come into this game with a mixed bag of form, with 1 win, 3 draws and 1 loss in their last 5 games in all competitions. However they have an excellent record against Manchester United. The two sides have faced off five times in the past. All five of those ending in a draw after 90 minutes. With four of those five being goalless draws in Champions League group stage matches. The fifth obviously being the Europa League final where Manchester United lost on penalties.
Unai Emery will most likely stick with the more favoured 4-3-3 formation. Rulli in net, with a back four most likely comprising of Juan Foyth on the right, Albiol and Pau Torres in the centre and Pedraza at left back. A midfield three of Manu Trigueros alongside Parejo and Capoue, in the more attacking roles. A big miss for the spanish side will be danger man and previous goal-scorer against Manchester United, Gerard Moreno. However, he misses out due to injury. And so, there front three will most likely be Danjuma and Gomez out wide with Alcácer through the middle. When Villarreal attack they like to push the fullbacks high up the pitch attempting to create overloads in those wide areas. This could cause some problems with what will be an uncommon starting back four.
Speaking of, I expect Solskjær to stick with the 4-2-3-1 he has so heavily favoured. Usually, we have been able to have a pretty much dead set back five. Whilst I’m confident David de Gea will retain his place in net, the back four will have some serious changes to it. With Luke Shaw out injured, Alex Telles will most likely get the nod at left back. Maguire being injured as well, means Lindelöf will probably partner Raphael Varane at centre back. Aaron Wan-Bissaka being suspended from the red card in the previous Champions League match, means that Diogo Dalot will play.
With such an unsettled defence, I full expect Fred and McTominay to start as a double pivot. Paul Pogba on the left, Bruno through the middle and Jadon Sancho on the right. With Cristiano Ronaldo up top, hopefully doing what he does best and continues his goal scoring record.
If Manchester United don’t win this game there will be an even bigger drop in confidence and in general morale around the entire team. There will be even more pressure mounted on the manager. And with a tough run of games coming our way this is the last thing we need right now. Hopefully these more fringe players can step up and provide for the team, in what is now a time of need. I will always have confidence in my team that we can win and this match is no different. But, there is something about this fixture, with the record of the two teams and the time at which it has come that doesn’t fill me with all that much confidence. Hopefully, the players prove me wrong and comfortably see aside Villarreal.