As it happened: Villarreal 0-2 Manchester United in the Champions League

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Qualification sealed with a game to spare 🤝#MUFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/sLIeNkoOIt — Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 23, 2021

◉ Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player to score in the opening five UCL games of a single campaign for an English club

◉ Bruno Fernandes is the first player to provide an assist in the opening five UCL games of a single campaign for an English club

Both in 2021/22. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kIbZmCrXO3 — Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 23, 2021

Only two players have provided an assist in five consecutive #UCL games for an English club:

◉ David Beckham (1998)
◉ Bruno Fernandes (2021)

It's a Man Utd thing. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/dRyNsExEvD — Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 23, 2021

✅ vs Young Boys
✅ vs Villarreal
✅ vs Atalanta
✅ vs Atalanta
✅ vs Villarreal

Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player to score in each of the opening five games of a #UCL campaign for an English club. 😤 pic.twitter.com/HXphceNO6o — William Hill (@WilliamHill) November 23, 2021

An excellent team display full of discipline sees Manchester United confirm their place in this season's knockout stages of the Champions League.

A beautiful lobbed goal from Ronaldo put the visitors ahead before Sancho sealed the deal with his first United goal via a sensational strike!

Fernandes plays a great ball into Rashford but his first touch lets him down.

Jadon Sancho scores his first Manchester United goal!!! Rashford drives forward and plays it into Fernandes, who slips in Sancho, and he smashes it in off the underside of the bar for his first goal for United!

Marcus Rashford picks the ball up on the left flank, drives towards goal, but his effort is well saved by Rulli.

Ronaldo gambles on a back-pass to Rulli but the Portuguese can't quite direct his effort on target.

Fred presses a short goal-kick from Villarreal, the ball falls to Ronaldo and the Portuguese lobs the onrushing Gulli and into the back of the net!

Huge goal for Manchester United!

Pino is replaced by Chukwueze.

Trigueros is replaced by Moreno.

Sancho plays a great one-two with Fernandes and he dances into the box, but his effort is well saved by Rulli.

Marcus Rashford replaces Anthony Martial.

A nice passage of play from Villarreal ends up with the ball rolling to Danjuma on the edge of the box.

He opens up his body to shoot but his effort sails comfortably over de Gea's crossbar.

The ball sets up nicely for Trigueros to strike at goal. His effort skims off the turf and David de Gea produces a remarkable save!

Fred picks up the ball on the edge of the box after exciting play from Sancho, but the Brazilian's effort is easily gathered by Rulli.

The second half has been played at a slow tempo thus far.

Matic and Fernandes are warming up for the visitors.

The second half is underway.

If this game finishes as a draw, and the match between Young Boys and Atalanta does also, Manchester United will be through to the knockout stage.

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Villarreal 0-0 Man Utd HT:

xG: 0.43-0.15
Shots: 9-3
Shots on target: 2-1
Possession: 53%-47%
Pass accuracy: 90%-87%
Corners: 4-1
Fouls: 7-3#UCL #VILMUN pic.twitter.com/CDdaiEgzQV — Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) November 23, 2021

Manchester United began the half slowly, with David de Gea being forced into making a few strong stops.

The visitors began to come into the game without creating any clear cut chances.

All to play for at the break!

Gomez dances with the ball 20 yards from United's goal, and his deflected effort trickles just wide of David de Gea's left post.

Donny van de Beek receives a yellow card after bringing down Danjuma 30 yards from goal.

A small scare for United after Fred goes down without contact after going over his own ankle. 

The Brazilian is back on his feet, however.

Maguire hits a diagonal ball into Ronaldo, who beats his man but Villarreal manage to fill the box and the attack comes to nothing.

Pino receives a yellow card and will be suspended for the next game after dragging down Telles just outside his own area.

Sancho is beginning to have an impact on this game.

Danjuma picks up the ball in space inside United's area, but Lindelof does well to recover the ball.

Telles whips a quick ball into the box and Ronaldo hangs in the air for what seems like an age, but his header is easily collected by Rulli.

Sancho looks dangerous on the right hand side and whips in a delightful ball, but Albiol clears it for a corner before Ronaldo can meet it.

The ball is played into Pino whose effort looks destined for the far corner, but David de Gea produces a flying save to keep it at 0 - 0!

A quick one-two on the right of United's box leads to Pino picking up the ball in space, but his cross is wayward.

Danjuma whips the ball into the box and Pau Torres meets it, but his header is over the bar.

Villarreal have looked dangerous so far.

A deflected shot lands at Pino's feet just inside the area, but his effort flies into the side netting.

McTominay gives the ball away and Gomez picks up the ball 30 yards out. Under no pressure, he releases a wicked strike at goal, but David de Gea saves well.

Alex Telles delivers an enticing ball from a set-piece. The ball is deflected and McTominay heads the ball just past the wrong side of the post!

The players take the knee and the game is underway!

The game was due to kick off five minutes ago, but due to technical issues between the officials, the game is yet to begin.

Despite Bruno Fernandes creating the most chances in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League this season, the Manchester United midfielder starts on the bench tonight.

◉ Most chances created in the Premier League this season: Bruno Fernandes (38)

◉ Most chances created in the Champions League this season: Bruno Fernandes (16)

And he's on the bench tonight. #UCL pic.twitter.com/NlGzl85bBY

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 23, 2021

🏟 Checking out tonight's surroundings 🇪🇸#MUFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/OMayWawPDn — Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 23, 2021

Michael Carrick with some bold changes here. Donny van de Beek STARTS ahead of...Bruno Fernandes. He also starts Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho with Cristiano Ronaldo up front. 

📋 Your United line-up to take on Villarreal...

Come on, Reds! ✊#MUFC | #UCL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 23, 2021

Can Danjuma take his chances unlike last time out? 

Here is our starting 1️⃣1️⃣ to face @ManUtd.#UCL pic.twitter.com/EzuaYsEjyq

— Villarreal CF English (@VillarrealCFen) November 23, 2021

Alex Telles' wonder strike – his first goal for Manchester United – and Cristiano Ronaldo's last minute winner, helped The Red Devils top their UEFA Champions League group for the first time.

💥 @AT13Oficial
💪 @Cristiano

There was late drama last time we faced Villarreal ⏳#MUFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/zM47yiCT5L

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 23, 2021

The stage is set for tonight's match, which kicks off in just under two hours time.

📍 Estadio de la Ceramica 🇪🇸#MUFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/0HiaG92llV

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 23, 2021

After winning their last two UEFA Champions League matches against Young Boys, we could possibly see Villarreal line up in a similar manner.

Predicted Line-up: Rulli, Mario, Albiol, Torres, Alfonso, Pino, Parejo, Capoue, Coquelin, Dia, Groneveld

After almost three years, tonight's line-up for Manchester United will not be chosen by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

It is unsure whether Michael Carrick's team selection will be similar to that of Solskjaer's, but there are bound to be some similarities.

Predicted Line-up: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Telles, Matic, Van de Beek, Fernandes, Rashford, Sancho, Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored five goals in his four UEFA Champions League appearances since his return to Old Trafford, one of which serving as a last minute winner against tonight's opponents Villarreal.

Will the Portuguese build on his impressive record against The Yellow Submarine?

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Read what caretaker manager Michael Carrick had to say ahead of the Villarreal game here.

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire faced yesterday's press conference alongside Michael Carrick.

For the badge 👊🔴#MUFC | #UCL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 23, 2021

Unai Emery faced the press ahead of his side hosting Manchester United this evening.

Here's @UnaiEmery_'s verdict ahead of today's game against @ManUtd.

👉 https://t.co/TXQdSc6WQb#UCL pic.twitter.com/1uj5xWrIC4

— Villarreal CF English (@VillarrealCFen) November 23, 2021

Ahead of Manchester United's trip to Villarreal, here's what our Manchester Football Correspondent Brad Cox had to say about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal.

How it came to this.

- pressured into testing different formations
- defensive disarray
- when too many players don’t perform, you’re always going to struggle#MUFC https://t.co/qBVcx3sMab

— Brad Cox (@BradJCox_) November 21, 2021

Tuesday's visitors took all three points in dramatic fashion in the reverse fixture thanks to a late goal from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Michael Carrick is currently acting as the caretaker manager for Manchester United, but reports are circulating today that Mauricio Pochettino may be joining the club mid-season.

Would he suit The Red Devils?

My latest piece for @VAVEL in light of today's news surrounding Pochettino #MUFC #Pochettino https://t.co/4q1DjfDVeT

— Tom Millington (@TomTalksSport) November 22, 2021

Do not miss a detail of the match with the live updates and commentaries of VAVEL. Follow along with us for all the details, commentaries, analysis and lineups for Villarreal vs Manchester United.

If you want to watch the game on TV, there will be coverage on BT Sport 3 from 17:00 BST.

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If you want to watch it on the internet, VAVEL UK is your best option

Mason Greenwood has tested positive for COVID-19 and may not be involved for the visitors.

Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane will definitely not feature in Spain as the French duo both face time on the sidelines following longer-term injuries.

Edinson Cavani wasn't part of United’s squad against Watford at the weekend and remains a doubt for the meeting with Villarreal and the same goes for Luke Shaw, who appeared to sustain another concussion injury at Vicarage Road.

 

Tuesday's hosts will be without star striker Gerard Moreno, who scored against United in the Europa League final in May. Villarreal's no.7 has been out with a torn hamstring, which he sustained in late October. The injury has kept him out of their last seven matches. 

Tuesday's visitors are unbeaten in five UEFA Champions League games against Villarreal (W1, D4,) – they have only faced CSKA Moscow and Bayer Leverkusen more often without losing in the competition (six games each).

Manchester United have failed to keep a clean sheet in the UEFA Champions League this season, conceding seven goals in four games so far.

It is the most they have conceded at this stage of the competition since 1998-99 (also seven), although they went on to lift that trophy that season.

This will be Villarreal's sixth UEFA Champions League tie against Manchester United, more than they've faced any other side in the competition. 

The Yellow Submarine are winless in all five previous meetings (D4, L1).

Since losing 2-1 in the reverse fixture in September, Villarreal have won each of their last two UEFA Champions league matches, both of which coming against Young Boys.

Unai Emery's side are looking to win three consecutive matches in the competition for the first time.

Villarreal vs Manchester United will be played at Estadio de la Ceramica in Villarreal, Spain. The kick-off is scheduled at 17:45 BST.

Welcome to VAVEL UK's LIVE coverage of the 2021 Champions League match: Villarreal vs Manchester United!

My name is Tom Millington and I'll be your host for this game. We will provide you with pre-game analysis, squad updates, and news as it happens live here on VAVEL.com.