Champions League: United Plan to Banish Painful Memories Against Villarreal

Manchester United vs Villarreal

The Champions League is back after a two-week hiatus and football aficionados are in for some mouthwatering fixtures on the menu.

One of them is the Europa League final rematch between Manchester United and Villarreal as the hosts are seeking revenge against their Spanish visitors when these two will clash in Group F of the European showcase.

At the said final at Gdansk, Villarreal came away with the trophy in a match that went to the distance. When both were stuck at 1-1, the Yellow Submarine and the Red Devils exchanged penalties up until David de Gea miffed his chance – sealing the deal for Unai Emery’s side.

That losing feeling remains fresh in Manchester United fans’ minds leading up to this game and both clubs need a victory here given their previous Champions League 2021 results.

Young Boys took everyone by surprise as they’re leading the group with three points. Villarreal and Atalanta have a point each while Manchester United are at the bottom with none.

The SBOTOP betting odds favour Manchester United to get their first win in the group stages but it shouldn’t be a foregone conclusion for now since Villarreal are one tough nut to crack.

Talking Points

This is not the same Manchester United as before, or is it?

Since their penultimate defeat to Villarreal months ago, Manchester United’s squad looks different although the same inconsistencies continue to haunt them.

There’s immense pressure for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side to deliver as they’ve now lost three of their last four matches in all competitions.

After welcoming back Cristiano Ronaldo with a comprehensive 4-1 home win over Newcastle United, the Red Devils’ Champions League campaign got off to a horrific start with a 2-1 defeat to the Young Boys from Switzerland.

That was followed up with a come-from-behind win over West Ham United in the Premier League, but the Hammers got the last laugh by eliminating the Red Devils 1-0 in the Carabao Cup days later.

Against Aston Villa recently, they dropped their second straight game with another 1-0 loss.

For this midweek fixture, Solskjaer is expected to make changes in his starting XI.

Diogo Dalot, Alex Telles, and Victor Lindelof are going to start because of the injuries sustained by Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire as well as Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s suspension from the last game.

Cristiano Ronaldo will continue to spearhead their front alongside Paul Pogba, Mason Greenwood, and Bruno Fernandes. However, their midfield remains anemic with Scott McTominay and Fred at the fulcrum.

Villarreal have limited attacking options

The Yellow Submarine come into this game as the underdogs because of their depleted personnel.

Top hitman Gerard Moreno is doubtful due to a troublesome thigh while fellow frontman Samuel Chukwueze has yet to feature in this campaign due to a hip injury.

Key star Gerard Moreno might be out when Villarreal play against Manchester United in the Champions League — Villarreal star Gerard Moreno clashes against Atalanta’s Remo Freuler during their recent Champions League clash

Francis Coquelin will be out too because he was sent off against Atalanta in the previous game while Dani Raba is unlikely to play.

But unlike Manchester United, Villarreal have a robust midfield to rely on with the likes of Manu Trigueros, Etienne Capoue, and Dani Parejo.

Villarreal are undefeated in their last seven matches across all competitions but somehow they are languishing at 11^th in the La Liga table.

Resilience has been the theme for Villarreal ever since Unai Emery took over and it’ll be hard to count them out for this fixture.

History

The Europa League final between Manchester United and Villarreal four months ago certainly is memorable for both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Unai Emery – for the wrong and right reasons.

If United won the game, it would’ve broken their four-year trophy drought and OGS wouldn’t be as criticised as he is today.

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UEFA – Champions League

Meanwhile, it was Unai Emery’s fourth Europa League championship – five years after spearheading an amazing three-peat for Sevilla from 2014 to 2016.

Prior to Wednesday, Manchester United and Villarreal have faced off in European competition six times. Other than their Europa League final previously, the two clubs have shared draws five straight times with four of them being goalless.

Betting Tip

	Manchester United vs Villarreal	Manchester United Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 1.88
	September 30, 03:00 (GMT+8)

The Champions League 2021 odds have Manchester United installed as the favourites to win in this midweek fixture.

The Red Devils are pegged at 1.51, while the Yellow Submarine are the underdogs at 6.00 and a draw is at 4.10 in the 1×2 market.

In typical United fashion, they should lose in the midfield battle. But if Villarreal couldn’t fully exploit the hosts’ weakness there, United’s better attacking quality should be the difference to secure the valuable three points.