Champions League: Manchester United Begin Life After Ole

Villarreal vs Manchester United

Manchester United is a club in turmoil, make no mistake about that. Four defeats from five has left the Red Devils in the higher reaches of Premier League mid-table, but much closer to the relegation zone than the top in terms of points.

Saturday’s trip to Watford turned out to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s last as head coach as, stuck on 17 points, the Red Devils have an eight-point cushion to the drop zone but are a mammoth 12 points behind leaders Chelsea; and six behind fourth place. In the   Champions League things have been going a little better as Manchester United and their next opponents, Villarreal, share top spot in Group F on seven points. But with Atalanta lurking just two points back the group is wide open, and the loser of this tie at the Estadio de la Ceramica could easily find themselves in third place.   

United won the return match at Old Trafford 2-1, and with Michael Carrick in charge the whole club, players, fans and owners could have some much-needed respite if they can win. 

Talking Points

Emery’s vision for success at Villarreal

Head coach Unai Emery turned down newly rich Newcastle United to stay at Villarreal because he believes he is building something with the Yellow Submarine. He picked up some silverware in his first season as boss and he feels confident in his and his players’ ability to deliver more. 

After beginning the La Liga season with four draws Villarreal have struggled to gain much momentum in their domestic league but, apart from the defeat to the Red Devils, their Champions League 2021 results have been pretty good. A well-earned draw against Atalanta and two comfortable wins over Young Boys have given them a great chance to qualify for the knockout phase. 

Midfielder Arnaut Danjuma has scored two goals already in the competition and he’s set to line up alongside two quality players in Dani Parejo and Etienne Capoue. Defender Pau Torres and striker Paco Alcacer provide more class at either end of the pitch.

Can Ronaldo lift Manchester United’s spirits? 

Even in the club’s current state, the Champions League 2021 betting odds give Manchester United an outside chance of winning the European crown, at odds of 17.00, and at odd of 9.50 to reach the final. England is the favourite to provide the winner at a price of 1.80; and with Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool in the mix that makes a lot of sense.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford, in the summer, lifted the place immediately, and he is the fourth favourite to win the Champions League Golden Boot at a SBOTOP price of 10.00. But with FC Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski in at 1.50 it will be a big challenge for the Portuguese legend, who has five goals to his name compared to the Bayern hitman’s eight. His task is to lift the club again and he has an ally in countryman Bruno Fernandes who has made five assists in the competition.

With Carrick seemingly in charge for the foreseeable future Manchester United fans may have to wait until next summer to find out who will be their next ‘permanent’ boss, and the rookie will need leaders on the pitch to help his cause.

History

Villarreal have been regular participants in the Champions League and finished runners up in La Liga in 2008, and they did collect some European silverware just a few months ago. 

Of course, Villarreal beat the Red Devils in the 2021 Europa League final in an epic penalty shootout which ended at 11-10 after the two teams were locked at 1-1, after Edinson Cavani had equalised Gerard Moreno’s goal.

That was a blow to the Red Devils and their recently sacked boss, who was expected to end United’s trophy drought having spent heavily in the transfer market. The weight of expectation at Old Trafford is huge and no wonder; with 20 domestic league titles and three European Crowns in a glittering history.

Those days seem a long way away right now; and while a win over the Yellow Submarine won’t end the club’s current problems, it will certainly help. 

Betting Tip

	Villarreal vs Manchester United	Total Goals 2-3 @ 1.95
	November 24, 01:45 (GMT+8)

Villarreal are at 3.06 to win this tie, with Manchester United at 2.25 and the draw at 3.30 and it really could go either way.

It’s hard to predict how a team will respond to the sacking of a boss so I’m going for a 1-1 draw or a 2-1 win either way…it’s 2-3 goals for me.   

 

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