Manchester United take on Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League later this evening. The Red Devils will be looking to move a step closer towards qualifying for the next stage of the competition. Following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, assistant coach Michael Carrick is entrusted with management duties, starting with this evening’s Villarreal vs Manchester United match, as the club look to hire a permanent manager over the coming weeks.
The club’s previous encounter with the ‘Yellow Submarine’ ended in jubilation, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s stoppage-time winner ensuring they registered a 2-1 victory – securing their first points of the competition – at Old Trafford. The Red Devils savoured the result, but displayed a rather uncharismatic performance last time around, the Red Devils will be keen on producing a reassuring performance. The hosts however, will be hoping to avenge their defeat and exploit United’s vulnerabilities later today.
Diagnosed with a concussion, Luke Shaw remains unavailable alongside Raphael Varane, Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani, and Paul Pogba for the trip to Spain. Having impressed in recent outings, Donny Van De Beek remains in strong contention to start while either Alex Telles or Diogo Dalot are expected to replace Shaw at left-back.
With Solskjaer’s coaching staff in charge of preparations, many expect United to remain unchanged in their approach. Although a win would most certainly guarantee qualification for the next round, the Red Devils are, yet again, expected to remain reticent in their philosophy.
📰 Read everything Michael Carrick had to say ahead of tonight's #UCL tie against Villarreal…👇#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 23, 2021
Villarreal vs Manchester United: Predicted Line-Up – (4-2-3-1)
David De Gea (GK) – Suffering the consequence of an unnerving backline, De Gea remains the team’s most reliable player in-and-around their own penalty box. Despite saving consecutive penalties against Watford, his efforts proved futile as United failed to get their act right for the remainder of the game.
A vital part of a defence struggling to deliver cohesive performances, De Gea emerges as the most reliable and is expected to retain his place in the starting line-up against Villarreal.
Defenders
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB) – Complicit in the team’s defensive errors, Wan-Bissaka remains a divisive player within the fan base. Against Watford, the right-back was, arguably, amongst United’s better defenders but once again failed to display an encouraging willingness in the attacking third.
With United in need of a positive result, Wan-Bissaka is likely to be slotted in at right-back and will be expected to carry out his defensive duties diligently.
Eric Bailly (RCB) – Sacrificed at half-time during United’s inexcusable display against Manchester City, the Ivorian has failed to make an appearance since, despite displaying a resounding performance against Atalanta in their latest UCL tie. Having remained surprisingly available for the ongoing campaign, hitherto, Bailly is likely to be handed an opportunity; replacing Victor Lindelof later this evening.
Provided the Ivorian displays, yet another, match-winning performance, the centre-back will be hoping to gradually find his way into the starting line-up, sooner than expected.
Harry Maguire (LCB) – Unavailable for the weekend’s trip to Stamford Bridge, Maguire is expected to retain his place in the starting line-up despite attracting unabated vitriol vis-à-vis recent performances. The United captain has, arguably, been the team’s most underperforming player this season, but is expected to be amongst the foremost names on against Villarreal.
Having failed to do his talking to the pitch, Maguire will be keen on regaining his confidence and inspiring a seemingly apathetic side to victory later today.
Alex Telles (LB) – Amongst United’s talented fringe players desperate for minutes on the pitch, the Brazilian is likely to be involved owing to Luke Shaw’s absence this evening. Given his defensive inadequacies, however, Telles could easily miss out with Diogo Dalot granted an appearance ahead of him against Watford last Saturday.
Provided Carrick employs an attacking approach, Telles is likely to find himself on the team sheet against Villarreal.
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Midfielders
Fred (CDM) – Having been granted rest for today’s fixture, Fred is likely to start for United in the midfield. Although the Brazilian has gradually improved his performances in recent outings, his potential remains unconvincing while his presence increases United’s possibility of clinching a result this evening.
Returning on the back of an impressive outing with the national team, the Brazilian will be hoping to make a positive impact against Villarreal.
Donny Van De Beek (CM) – Arguably, United’s most impactful performer in recent games, Van De Beek is likely to start alongside Fred in the midfield. The Dutchman’s performances have grown increasingly convincing, while he has, arguably, contributed more to the team’s positive takeaways compared to his competitors in the midfield position.
With United in need of an intelligent presence in the midfield, Van De Beek is highly expected to make the starting line-up later today.
Attackers
Jadon Sancho (RW) – United’s most potent threat in the attacking third against Watford, Jadon Sancho is expected to retain his place in the starting line-up. Having settled into the team, the winger could gradually cement his place in the first eleven in the immediate future, given Mason Greenwood’s absence over the next few days.
Expected to be rewarded for his dazzling second-half efforts against Watford, Sancho is likely to contribute if the visitors are to display a captivating performance this evening.
Bruno Fernandes (CAM) – Amongst the crop of players having contributed to the fan base’s soaring frustration over the last couple of weeks, Fernandes remains in search of a reassuring performance. Although the Portuguese is the team’s primary creator on the pitch, he has failed to provide a glimmer of inspiration to the fan base.
However, regarded amongst those expected to instantly improve their output given an impressive outing, Fernandes will be hoping to contribute to a positive result against Villarreal.
Marcus Rashford (LW) – Heavily underperforming since regaining match-fitness, Rashford, however, remains likely to retain his place against Villarreal. The winger has failed to deliver match-winning performances and continues lacking a bite in attacking transitions.
However, with the team in desperate need of a victory, Carrick is likely to depend on Rashford’s match-winning ability to secure a positive result later today.
Cristiano Ronaldo (ST) – Single-handedly responsible for the club’s scrappy victories in the ongoing UCL campaign, United will, once again, look to the Portuguese for delivering an exceptional performance against Villarreal. The club’s top scorer across all competitions, Ronaldo remains the team’s most omnipresent threat up-front.
Provided the visitors produce an enticing performance, Ronaldo is likely to find himself on the scoresheet this evening.
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