Manchester United travel to Villarreal for a vital group game in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
In what will be the first match since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left his role as manager, the Reds can secure qualification to the knockout stage with a second victory over Villarreal, having already beaten them 2-1 at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick takes caretaker charge and will be picking the team.
Manchester United are unbeaten in five UEFA Champions League games against Villarreal (W1 D4) – they have only faced CSKA Moscow and Bayer Leverkusen more often without losing in the Champions League (six games each).
Since losing 2-1 to Manchester United, Villarreal have won each of their last two UEFA Champions League games, beating Young Boys twice. They are looking to win three consecutive matches in the competition for the very first time.
This will be Villarreal’s sixth UEFA Champions League match against Manchester United, more than they’ve faced any other in the competition. The Yellow Submarine are winless in all five previous meetings (D4 L1).
Manchester United have failed to keep a single clean sheet in the UEFA Champions League this season, shipping seven goals in their four games so far. It is the most they’ve conceded at this stage of a Champions League season since 1998-99 (also seven), though they went on to win the trophy that season.
Manchester United Team News:
Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane will again be unavailable through injury, while Mason Greenwood is absent, having tested positive for coronavirus.
It is also unlikely that Edinson Cavani will recover from a tendon issue in time, while Luke Shaw suffered another suspended concussion against Watford and could be replaced at left-back by Diogo Dalot.
Carrick is expected to make changes from the Watford clash, with Donny van de Beek in line for a start in midfield, while Eric Bailly could come into the back four against his former club, as the Ivorian will more than likely be needed against Chelsea next weekend due to Harry Maguire’s league suspension.
Jesse Lingard is also pushing to be involved, but Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho could be selected in support of Cristiano Ronaldo, while Fred should return in midfield.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Dalot; Van de Beek, Fred; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Ronaldo
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