UNAI Emery has been here before. Three times before, actually. Indeed, the Spaniard is the most successful coach in the history of the Europa League. There’s just something about the competition that brings the best out of the former Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla boss. Manchester United will have much more than just Emery to worry about on Wednesday night, though.
On the face of things, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will be strong favourites to win in Gdansk. United finished second in the Premier League this season. Villarreal, on the other hand, could only muster a seventh place finish in La Liga. The Yellow Submarine still have the quality to sink the Old Trafford outfit, though.
In fact, Villarreal could be Manchester United’s worst nightmare. While Emery’s team finished seventh in La Liga, only three teams (Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid) scored more goals than them. Villarreal won’t shy away from the shootout in Wednesday’s Europa League final. They have the firepower to win it.
Gerard Moreno is Spain’s most lethal striker at this moment in time. The 29-year-old has 29 goals in 44 appearances for Villarreal this season, including six in 11 in the Europa League, and is widely expected to lead the line for his country at Euro 2020. Moreno will provide Emery with the cutting edge he needs.
More than once this season, United have struggled against mobile, adaptable centre forwards. This weakness could be exploited by Villarreal who will likely deploy a front two of Moreno and Carlos Bacca, the experienced Colombian striker who netted a hat trick against Sevilla just over a week ago.
Even if Harry Maguire is fit, Manchester United will have a job on their hands to keep both Bacca and Moreno quiet. Solskjaer’s side will need protection from Fred and Scott McTominay in midfield. Without that protection, and without defensive synchronisation, United could find themselves brutally exposed.
United’s game plan will depend on their ability to get in behind the Villarreal defence. Between Edinson Cavani, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Greenwood, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford, Solskjaer boasts a number of attacking difference markers. Without space, though, they will be stifled.
All 18 of @ManUtd's Europa League goals this season
Best strike? #UELfinal | #UEL pic.twitter.com/c8w6FxhDnS
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 24, 2021
Villarreal could sit deep and invite pressure on top of themselves, but it might be wiser for them to squeeze the midfield and keep a high line. Pau Torres’ pace means they would stand a good chance of covering the space in behind. The 24-year-old has been linked with a summer move to Manchester United and could give Solskjaer a first hand display of what he would offer his side.
Solskjaer can at least be thankful that Samuel Chukwueze is unlikely to feature due to injury. The Nigerian winger has pace to burn and would have truly tested United’s defensive resolve, especially in behind Luke Shaw. Nonetheless, their backline will have plenty to keep an eye on. Solskjaer and his players certainly afford any complacency.
It’s not all bad news for Manchester United. Villarreal would pose an even greater threat if they had anyone to threaten at set pieces. However, only Getafe scored fewer set piece goals than the Yellow Submarine in La Liga this season. United’s midfield three (four if Pogba plays centrally) should also control things against Villarreal’s two in the centre of the pitch.
Remarkably, the last three meetings between Manchester United and Villarreal finished goalless, but a similar outcome shouldn’t be expected in Gdansk. Villarreal finished their La Liga season by scoring in 13 straight games, a run that stretched all the way back to a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in February.
Meanwhile, United are a top-heavy side, much better in attack than they are in defence. The Old Trafford club’s first trophy under Solskjaer as manager is within touching distance. United have beaten better teams this season, but Villarreal could be an opponent built to aggravate their vulnerabilities.
