Michael Carrick will lead Manchester United Tuesday's Champions League

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Michael Carrick will lead Manchester United into Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Villarreal after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal as head coach was confirmed on Sunday morning. Man United know that a win against the Yellow Submarine will confirm their spot in the knockout round of the competition with a game to spare, but a defeat would leave them vulnerable in Group F.

Both teams are on seven points at the top of this UEFA Champions League (UCL) group, and depending on Atalanta’s result, Group F can be won with a matchday to spare. Villarreal enter this clash with something to prove, having dropped two points despite leading at half-time in their weekend match at Celta Vigo, although that was a fourth game unbeaten across their last five (W2, D2, L1).
A Villarreal win would see them equal the ten-point tally that was sufficient to win a group containing Manchester United back in their debut UCL campaign (2005/06). History awaits if the hosts can utilise home advantage from the start, as the ‘Yellow Submarine’ are yet to win a H2H (D5, L1) or score before half-time in a UCL clash against the ‘Red Devils’.
The sole defeat in that record came via a devastating stoppage-time winner from Man United’s Cristiano Ronaldo in the reverse clash on matchday two. Times have changed though, and United travel after a bruising 4-1 defeat to Watford on Saturday. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked following, after a third defeat by a 2+ goal margin in five matches.
A win here at the Estadio de la Cerámica should all but secure top spot for United, given their relatively easier finish to this group stage with a game at home to Young Boys on the final matchday. That said, the three-time European champions have conceded 2+ goals in each of their last four UCL away games (D1, L3), illustrating the task that lies ahead for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s replacement.

Date: 23/11/2021
Time: 20:45
Venue: Estadio de la Ceramica (Villarreal)
Pick for this match:
“Over 2.5” @ 1.83 ( BETWAY )