Europa League Final

Villarreal 1:1 Manchester United

Villareal win 11:10 on penalties

Stadion Energa Gdansk, Poland

Kick-off
Wed, 26 May 2021 @ 8:00pm BST
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    RedDevil@84 said:
    For once, can we have a non dramatic final and just score 3-4 goals with Villareal not even getting a sniff. And then not worry about whether defense can handle it or not.
    One can dream I guess.
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    Haha. How long have you been watching United?
     
    USREDEVIL said:
    Hope he starts Pogba over Rashford. Rashford to be a super sub.
    De Gea
    AWB Axel Lindelof Shaw
    Mc/Fred
    Greewood, Caveman, Pogba
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    I hope you are right but feel Ole may want to fit Rashford in on the right even though that rarely works. Would rather have Pogba on bench and Rashford on right then that. Or ideally Pogba instead of McT.
     
    Jaxa said:
    De Gea
    Axel Bailly Lindelof
    AWB - Matic - Pogba - Shaw
    Bruno - Cavani - Rashford

    ​
    Yes i know looks a bit wild on paper but I simply do not trust the CB's we have at the moment and also with Scott potentially missing the match I would honestly just rather not have Fred nowhere near this team at the moment as well, he's been so bad as of late and Matic even at his grand old age has the quality and experience for finals like this.

    With Shaw and AWB further up the pitch it will give them license to get more balls whipped in the box for Cavani and I want a front 3 of Bruno, Cavani and Rashford constantly interchanging being a menace to the VR defence, I think Bruno will drop deeper at times which is fine so I put him on the right but he would almost have a free role.

    We need to try something different in this game and not the team that's lost the last few games. It doesn't work.
    ​
    Click to expand...
    Going to a back three would be a grave error. It's the reason we lost the Leipzig game. Wan-Bissaka and Telles were destroyed by Leipzig's wingbacks and our centre-backs had no idea how to position themselves.

    Ole realised this a half time in that game, took off Telles and switched to a back four, and we nearly came back (we would have, if not for some of the worst goalkeeping ever seen by de Gea).
     
    Looking forward to this the 7th European final of my lifetime that involves United, should have reached a lot more finals than that including last year when the Europa league title was left behind in Cologne.

    United haven't played that often in Poland, I recall a champions league qualifier there and the Cup winners cup semi final in 1991 against Legia Warsaw when the crowd was filled with Army soldiers.

    Some big decisions for Ole and Co to make.

    DeGea or Henderson in goal. Yesterday provided a big hint.

    Who replaces Maguire, Tuanzebe or Bailly up against his old club?

    Does Pogba play in midfield or left wing?

    Do Greenwood, Rashford both to start or one of them used as impact sub?
     
    Red Royal said:
    I hope you are right but feel Ole may want to fit Rashford in on the right even though that rarely works. Would rather have Pogba on bench and Rashford on right then that. Or ideally Pogba instead of McT.
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    No way pogba starting on the bench. Think he's afraid not to McFred it so it kind of works itself out.
     
    Team selection: three choices to be made. Keeper ( will pick DDG), Axel / Bailly ( will choose Bailly) Fred / Greenwood (will choose Fred and play Pogba on left).

    I’ve pretty much written off this match in my mind. That way I won’t be too disappointed.
     
    There's really only two position of concern: Bailly / Lindelof or Lindelof / Tunazebe and Greenwood /Rashford. I think Ole will pick the following team based on seniority with Greenwood coming on later in the second-half:

    De Gea
    Wan Bissaka - Bailly - Lindelof - Shaw
    McTominay - Fred
    Rashford - Bruno - Pogba
    Cavani​

    Tuanzebe is right-footed so, no matter who we play, our central defence is unbalanced as is our forward line with Rashford on the right-hand side. Bailly will want to do well in this since he's playing his old club.

    ​
     
    Last edited:
    Jaxa said:
    De Gea
    Axel Bailly Lindelof
    AWB - Matic - Pogba - Shaw
    Bruno - Cavani - Rashford

    ​
    Yes i know looks a bit wild on paper but I simply do not trust the CB's we have at the moment and also with Scott potentially missing the match I would honestly just rather not have Fred nowhere near this team at the moment as well, he's been so bad as of late and Matic even at his grand old age has the quality and experience for finals like this.

    With Shaw and AWB further up the pitch it will give them license to get more balls whipped in the box for Cavani and I want a front 3 of Bruno, Cavani and Rashford constantly interchanging being a menace to the VR defence, I think Bruno will drop deeper at times which is fine so I put him on the right but he would almost have a free role.

    We need to try something different in this game and not the team that's lost the last few games. It doesn't work.
    ​
    Click to expand...
    Really disagree on trying to punt on 3 at the back. Trust our players, trust the system and trust the process. The only thing I'd want to see changed from the normal approach is having Pogba back centrally and Rashford & Greenwood provide width around Cavani.
     
    Shaw and Rashford combo on the left it should be.

    Greenwood on the right.

    The issue is how to get in Pogba and Bruno in that set up without dropping one of the holding mids.

    Really think getting a high quality DM in the summer should be the priority, along with renewing Pogba, as it would allow us to scrap the double pivot and utilise both Pogba and a Bruno centrally whilst allowing our best wider options.

    That's currently the problem that makes us that little bit lopsided
     
    The choices are
    DDG or Henderson
    Bailly or Axel
    One out of: Pogba, Rashford or Greenwood

    Ole’s pick will be:
    DDG
    AWB - Bailly - Lindelof - Shaw
    McT- Fred
    Pogba -Bruno - Rashford
    Cavani
     
    VP89 said:
    Really disagree on trying to punt on 3 at the back. Trust our players, trust the system and trust the process. The only thing I'd want to see changed from the normal approach is having Pogba back centrally and Rashford & Greenwood provide width around Cavani.
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    Good idea but would you really drop Fernandez? This is a cup final and I expect all our players to be playing better than usual (as will the opposition).
     
    DDG
    AWB - Lindelof - Tuanzebe - Shaw
    Pogba - Fred
    Greenwood - Bruno - Rashford
    Cavani

    Subs: VdB - Matic - Meijbri - Elanga - Amad
    ​
    Seriously, I think the five subs listed earned a cameo (or more) on Wednesday.

    Villareal 0-2 MUFC
     
    A-man said:
    The choices are
    DDG or Henderson
    Bailly or Axel
    One out of: Pogba, Rashford or Greenwood

    Ole’s pick will be:
    DDG
    AWB - Bailly - Lindelof - Shaw
    McT- Fred
    Pogba -Bruno - Rashford
    Cavani
    Click to expand...

    Pretty much guaranteed line up except swap rash and pogs.
     
    032Devil said:
    Good idea but would you really drop Fernandez? This is a cup final and I expect all our players to be playing better than usual (as will the opposition).
    Click to expand...
    no, I'd drop McTominay.
     
    BFernandes said:
    Chukwueze is injured for them so won't play, he's a big miss for them.

    Just found out they don't usually pose a big threat in the air. They've scored 3 headed goals this season which is joint lowest across all 5 leagues.
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    Delete that post!! That’s jinx material
     
    VP89 said:
    no, I'd drop McTominay.
    Click to expand...

    So, play with one midfielder only. I don't expect Pogba to be the water-carrier with Fred. Fred is already considered an "average" midfielder by most and McFred works better.
     
    I feel like this is gonna be just like the Ajax final from a few years ago. We'll be in control.

    3-1 for us.
     
    Gator Nate said:
    DDG
    AWB - Lindelof - Tuanzebe - Shaw
    Pogba - Fred
    Greenwood - Bruno - Rashford
    Cavani

    Subs: VdB - Matic - Meijbri - Elanga - Amad
    ​
    Seriously, I think the five subs listed earned a cameo (or more) on Wednesday.

    Villareal 0-2 MUFC
    Click to expand...

    This could be the cure for the Greenwood/Rashwood situation but wouldn't it stiffle Pogba's creative influence? I like your Sub line-up.
     
    For the folks in NYC, especially near Downtown, anyone has a good bar to recommend to watch the game?
     
    Red Royal said:
    I hope you are right but feel Ole may want to fit Rashford in on the right even though that rarely works. Would rather have Pogba on bench and Rashford on right then that. Or ideally Pogba instead of McT.
    Click to expand...
    It's the perception but there was an analysis that showed that left or right, Rashford produces similar offensive stats so maybe we are just too focused on his "mistakes". I think I will trust Ole on this one. Greenwood is a finisher, I believe he will be our super sub in this game.
     
    Pexbo said:
    He’s just being honest. I think fans put far too much weight on how much player injuries impact the opposition’s preparations.
    Click to expand...

    I would generally agree - for a run of the mill game. This is a cup final, however, and any kind of mental or tactical advantage could be important.

    If I was Ole and I knew Maguire definitely wouldn't play, I would say nothing, keep them guessing. If I knew Maguire probably would play, I would say he would most likely be out, in the hope that they are disappointed to see him playing.
     
    Matriac said:
    De Gea
    AWB Bailly Lindelöf Shaw
    Fred McTominay
    Rashford Fernandes Pogba
    Cavani​

    Pretty certain that will be the starting lineup. Greenwood is in form, but Ole will keep him on the bench to annoy him so he'll come on firing all cylinders at 60ish minutes.
    The only slight uncertainty is who will pair Lindelöf, I'll make my final selection on the day after seeing reports on Maguire etc. It would be peak Ole to keep a player like Maguire out of the limelight and talk down on his chances to feature so the oppo plans for not facing him, and then he starts. Also Bailly could injure himself before Wednesday on the flight over or something.
    Click to expand...
    https://kwestthoughts.substack.com/p/edinson-cavani-deserves-to-start

    Interesting read that I agree with completely.
     
    032Devil said:
    So, play with one midfielder only. I don't expect Pogba to be the water-carrier with Fred. Fred is already considered an "average" midfielder by most and McFred works better.
    Click to expand...
    Pogba is a midfielder, he's not a liability in the middle of the park. Bruno is also a midfielder, albeit the most advanced of the 3. You have a ball winner, a box to box and a 10 in that trio.
     
    Swedish_Plumber said:
    Maguire in the travelling squad.
    Click to expand...
    As was expected. Full list.

    Goalkeepers: David De Gea, Dean Henderson, Lee Grant, Nathan Bishop

    Defenders: Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Alex Telles, Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams

    Midfielders: Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Fred, Daniel James, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba, Donny van de Beek

    Forwards: Edinson Cavani, Anthony Elanga, Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, Shola Shoretire
     
    always_hoping said:
    As was expected. Full list.

    Goalkeepers: David De Gea, Dean Henderson, Lee Grant, Nathan Bishop

    Defenders: Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Alex Telles, Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams

    Midfielders: Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Fred, Daniel James, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba, Donny van de Beek

    Forwards: Edinson Cavani, Anthony Elanga, Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, Shola Shoretire
    Click to expand...
    Why does he keep taking 4 goalkeepers? Put Hannibal in there instead of Bishop. Otherwise as expected I guess.
     
    Mr H said:
    I feel like this is gonna be just like the Ajax final from a few years ago. We'll be in control.

    3-1 for us.
    Click to expand...

    Ajax were a bunch of kids. It literally was men against boys. Ajax lost the final before it even started.
    Villareal are not made up of kids.
     
    Lentwood said:
    I still think Maguire will play. There’s no reason for Ole to give Villarreal clues on his condition unless it’s to mislead them.

    If he doesn’t, think we have to go with Axel at LCB. Can’t have Lindelof and Bailly together in my opinion.

    The only other big decision is who plays AML/AMR. I think Pogba will start wide left so its a straight fight between Greenwood and Rashford at AMR for me. In my book, it’s no contest and Greenwood should play.
    Click to expand...
    Axel played the full 90 minutes yesterday and the full 90 against Fulham on Tuesday, in my opinion there is no way Ole is thinking about playing him in the final, he gave Lindeloff and Ballie just 90 minutes each because that's the pairing he is going to go with in Poland.
     
    I'd rather see Rashford come off the bench. He's been carrying something and we'd be stronger to have a front 3 of Pogba Cavani and Greenwood if Fred and McTominay are starting.
     
    I hate this kind of lose-lose situation, if we lose we'll be ridiculed and if we win we'll have no merit since we weren't supposed to be at this level anyway.
     
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Post-match discussion

Man of the Match

Scott McTominay image Scott McTominay 71% of 302 votes

Runners-up

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Player Ratings

5.2 Total Average Rating

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Score Predictions

197,25,12
  • Man Utd win
  • Villarreal win
  • Draw

Detailed Results

  • 27% Villarreal 1:2 Man Utd
  • 21% Villarreal 1:3 Man Utd
  • 19% Villarreal 0:2 Man Utd
  • 5% Villarreal 2:1 Man Utd
  • 4% Villarreal 0:3 Man Utd
  • 3% Villarreal 2:3 Man Utd
  • 3% Villarreal 0:1 Man Utd
  • 3% Villarreal 1:1 Man Utd
  • 2% Villarreal 0:5 Man Utd
  • 2% Villarreal 1:0 Man Utd
  • 1% Villarreal 0:0 Man Utd
  • 1% Villarreal 2:2 Man Utd
  • 1% Villarreal 1:4 Man Utd
  • 1% Villarreal 0:4 Man Utd
  • 1% Villarreal 2:0 Man Utd
  • 1% Villarreal 3:1 Man Utd
  • 1% Villarreal 4:0 Man Utd
  • 0% Villarreal 4:5 Man Utd
  • 0% Villarreal 2:4 Man Utd
  • 0% Villarreal 2:5 Man Utd
  • 0% Villarreal 3:0 Man Utd
Compiled from 234 predictions.
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Match Stats

  1. Villarreal
  2. Man Utd
Possession
40% 60%
Shots
12 14
Shots on Target
1 2
Corners
7 3
Fouls
10 15

Referee

Clement Turpin

Man Utd Lineup

Substitutes

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