CONFIRMED LINE-UP: United vs Villarreal

Manchester United have the opportunity for a revenge of sorts against Villarreal in the Champions League this season. Having lost on penalties against the Spanish side in last season’s Europa League final, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be looking for a much needed three points against the team that saw his wait for a trophy go on.

Since that game, Villarreal have won just one of the 15 games they’ve played, and currently find themselves 11th in the league.

Following the shock defeat away to Young Boys, it’s vital United get a win this evening to get our Champions League campaign back on track. Villarreal and Atalanta drew the opening game, so it’s not panic stations for United yet, but we need a victory to take pressure off the players and manager.

De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Telles, McTominay, Pogba, Sancho, Fernandes, Greenwood, Ronaldo

Subs: Heaton, Henderson, Bailly, Mata, Lingard, Fred, Matic, van de Beek, Cavani, Martial, Elanga.

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6 Comments

Xyth September 29, 2021

We might still go and win this match, but Ole, simply has to go!

Enough is enough!

Great win!
Rubbish performance!
OLE OUT!

DAVID September 30, 2021

We bossed the game from beginning to end. Made the right subs. Finished on top.

Thanks Ole for playing Pogz in the middle. His partnership with McT will only blossom.

Madrid amongst many other good teams have not bested Villarreal. They ain't called the yellow submarines for nothing.

As much as I would want Elanga starting over Sancho, I respect our coach's decision and I just can't wait to see Rashers back. Its gonna be an annihilation!

Quite a satisfactory performance overall I must say.

Now let's obliterate the toffees!

Onwards and upwards!!!

CR September 30, 2021

Ole's subs made the difference. We got a lot more bite about us when Cavani was brought on. Ole also deserves credit for finding a place for Lingard in the squad; he is quite useful as an impact sub as long as he stays clear of dangerous back-passes in the back third. But he's since made amends for that twice now.

Ole and his staff now find themselves in a good position to qualify in the CL and stay within touching distance of the top of the Prem. Also have a go in the FA Cup. However, preparations should be made to bring in a dominant CDM/DLP and possibly also another back-up RB asap. Do that and the team/squad will be near completion and able to callenge more convincingy. It's a great result last night but solely relying on individual brilliance and moments like that isn't sustainable in the long run.

Cavani HAS to start every CL game and IMO Vdb should be give a run as well:

Ronaldo Cavani
Fernandes
(Pogba/Mctominay) Vdb (Fred/Matic)
Shaw Maguire Varane Awb
Ddg

Subs:
Rashford
Greenwood
Sancho
Lingard

Note that this is for the CL. In the PL Rashford has to start most games when fully fit. He can be rotated up front together with Ronaldo and Cavani (neither of which can play every game anyway) and Greenwood:

(Ronaldo or Greenwood) (Cavani or Rashford)
Fernandes
(Mctominay or Pogba) Vdb (Fred or Matic)
Shaw Maguire Varane Awb
Ddg

A third option is to play with three up front of course. Basically; in that scenario these are our options:
(Rashford or Ronaldo) (Ronaldo or Cavani or Greenwood) (Greenwood or Sancho)

DAVID,

I rate Elanga as well. Though I think going out on loan is perhaps the best option for him now that Ronaldo has been added to the squad. Once Rashford gets back the competiton for places will be even higher than it is now when he is only getting cameos in the League Cup, of which the team went out so no more games there. He can get more gametime on loan and then come back to be the back-up for Rashford on the left.

DAVID October 1, 2021

I know exactly what you mean CR. Elanga's better off going out on loan. That's the politically correct decision.

But, for me, my heart's desire is for Sancho to go out on loan. Not back to Dortmund, but to a solid prem team like Brighton.

There's nothing he brings to the team atm that, for instance, Lingard can't bring.

Elanga's had the better preseason. He was our best player in the preseason games. I see another, better version of Martial in the young man.

Sancho can get up to the speed and physicality of the English game playing for teams like Brighton.

Well, as I said, I support the coach's decision on this.

The Rashers, Ronnie, Greenwood blockbusting red-hot fluid attacking trident is my favorite.

Hardworking Lingard, Cavani, Elanga frontline is my second favorite.

High on technique Sancho, Martial, Mata built for bus parking teams setup comes in third.

Thanks again Ole for playing on the front foot.

Onwards and upwards!!!

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