Sleepwalking Man Utd to lose EL final
Villarreal will be sincerely hoping that the biggest ever match in their 89 year history concludes with the underdogs lifting the Europa League trophy at the Stadion Mijeski in Gdańsk, and with it, a back route into next season's UEFA Champions League. Their opponents have already secured their berth in the elite competition (subject to any fallout from the ESL debacle), but come into the game stumbling badly, and also without centre back Harry Maguire. Naturally, Ole Gunnar Solskjær will himself be desperate for his first piece of silverware in charge of the club he loves to demonstrate that the Red Devils really have improved under his management, but may have to wait a little while longer to achieve that dream. Read our preview here:
Pau! Right in the kisser
Unai Emery's men will hope to quickly shake off their disappointment at losing on the final day away at Real Madrid to finish seventh in La Liga by flying out of the traps in Poland. Again, he'll stick with his tried and tested 4-4-2, and look to squeeze the space as much as possible in the middle to eliminate Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford from much of the play. Just as important though will be keeping things tight at the back, especially as United relish hitting teams on the counter. Pau Torres, the towering 24 year old stopper, is attracting interest from both Barcelona and his adversaries on Wednesday night, and it will be surely be a thorough examination of his credentials to possibly star for one of those huge teams in 2021/2022. Elsewhere, the partnership of Carlos Bacca and Gerard Moreno will be looking to operate close to each other to make the most of the former's propensity to find his free-scoring teammate in and around the penalty area in a few yards of space.
Axel's spinning
Maguire's absence is a huge blow to an already less than steadfast defence. It leaves the head coach with a big dilemma on the eve of the final, and it might be the case that he puts his faith in Axel Tuanzebe. The 23 year old has rarely been more than a bit-part performer in the famous red and white, but is more suited to being the left-sided centre back in a two than former Villarreal man Eric Bailly is. He also is quite weak in the air, which could play directly into his opponents' hands and shape. Nevertheless, he's arguably one of the most reliable passers from the backline, and that could be key in setting up swift breaks to penetrate the well-organised rearguard in yellow. Mason Greenwood could also feel very harshly done by if he doesn't make the XI, but given that both Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes were given rests at the weekend when a youthful lineup bested Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1, he might have to be satisfied with a cameo appearance from the bench if things are still tight later on.
Gunnar come up short
Villarreal's rise to prominence in the last decade and a half has been slow and measured, with foundations at the club being strengthened all the while whilst the board are in relative harmony with the fans and players alike. That is rare to see at the elite level these days, and contrasts sharply with all the turbulence at Manchester United, which took a turn for the even worse with the European Super League shambles. On the pitch, there are a number of promising youngsters coming through the ranks, which is always been the one semblance of consistency at Old Trafford for at least a generation. A tactical battle, it is unlikely to be awash with goals, and could even go the distance in the form of extra-time and possibly penalties. However, it feels like Emery is a bit sharper with strategy than Solskjær, and that prove to be the major difference. bet365 have odds of 3.00 for the Yellow Submarines to be jubilant with the trophy in their hands as the evening draws to a close.
