Nor there will be no fan at Old Trafford who does not know who Villarreal is. In fact, there will be no one in the two sides of Manchester soccer that they do not know, each one for different reasons. The submarine inflicted one of the most painful defeats to United on the Europa League final from last season in Gdansk. After two Champions finals lost against Barcelona (2009 and 2011) and the Europa League won in 2017 the English team introduced themselves as unanimous favorite to win before a Villarreal who made his debut in a final match with a title at stake. And her legs didn’t shake.
The truth is Villarreal had never been impressed when they faced United. Not at Old Trafford, not at La Cerámica (when it was known as El Madrigal). Were the red devils those who baptized the entry of the submarine in the Champions League, in 2005. Since then, in playoffs, four ties to zero. And then the last precedent, which stands out above the rest. The final played in May in Gdansk, in which Unai’s team Emery was imposed in the penalties. The biggest game in the history of Villarreal, a nightmare for those of Old Trafford. The Manchester team, which five times the budget of Villarreal, was the clear favorite and met a rival who made a perfect match, tactically and emotionally. He went ahead on the scoreboard, he knew how to hold on with the tie of Cavani in the second half and came fresher to extra time with the changes proposed by Emery. Afterwards, he made an impeccable penalty shoot-out, with Rulli as unexpected hero to stop the penalty to De Gea and transform your own.
Improved versions
But tonight is another story. United, fourth classified in the Premier, has been reinforced with Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo. Big words. Villarreal has also invested in maintaining its block and its stars, and has embarked on this new journey to players such as Mandi, Danjuma and Boulaye Dia, backed by their numbers rather than their media coverage. The team of Solskjaer -the one who fell a shower of criticism for immobility in the final of Gdansk- had started pitched in the Premier until the defeat last weekend at home in front of the Aston Villa, the third in a row if the League Cup is also taken into account and, above all, thea of the first day of the Champions League. They have crooked gesture to the red devils since the Champions League defeat against Young Boys. Because, this game is vital for United who face this last day as the last of the group.
With your feet on the ground
The Villarreal does not forget where he comes from either. He had not appeared in the Champions League for a decade and the draw against the Atalanta ended a seven-game losing streak in the highest continental competition. You He knew little by little, however, the equalized to the tile team, taking into account the occasions that he wasted and that arrived in 83 ‘ after having previously traced a 0-1 against.
It is true that has only won one match of the last nine who has disputed, but eshow the same signs of reliability than last year. He lost the final of the European Super Cup on penalties and, along the way, he has faced Atlético and Real Madrid, rivals that give more value to those matched. He has lacked to the team the clarity with which it generated danger last season, although his defensive solidity, as he showed in the last league match at the Bernabéu. For this match, he does not recover the injured Gerard Moreno, Raba and Samu Chukwueze and add to sanctioned Coquelin between absences.
Despite the casualties, he will have to respond in the same way to a United playing with Cristiano, with freedom of movement, and a second line in which Bruno Fernandes and Pogba they are fixed. The French midfielder carries 7 assists in six games of Premier League. Furthermore, Solskjaer has already recovered to Edinson Cavani, injured since August 29. You will also need to recover ehe encouragement of Bruno Fernandes, who had to apologize on social media this weekend after missing a penalty in the 93rd minute that would have meant a draw at home.
