Manchester United Starting XI vs Villarreal: Big decision made

While Manchester United have made some tremendous progress under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer over the past couple of years, one thing that they have not managed to do during the Norwegian manager’s stint at the club is to win a trophy.

That could all change tonight when they take on Villarreal in the Europa League final. Although Unai Emery’s side are expected to put up a tough challenge for the Red Devils.

Going into the game, there were always going to be some tough decisions for Solskjaer to make. Harry Maguire has been out injured for the past few weeks and has only managed to make the bench for the final. Eric Bailly will take his place in the starting XI.

The decision to drop Fred to the bench is also something that is going to be talked about as it looks like Paul Pogba will be sitting beside Scott McTominay in the midfield two.

Manchester United Starting XI vs Villarreal

Here’s how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has decided to line Manchester United up in the Europa League final against Villarreal:

David de Gea

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Victor Lindelof

Eric Bailly

Luke Shaw

Scott McTominay

Paul Pogba

Mason Greenwood

Bruno Fernandes (c)

Marcus Rashford

Edinson Cavani

The decision to drop Fred is perhaps the most interesting one that Solskjaer has taken for this game. He has formed a formidable duo with McTominay in the middle of the park throughout the course of the season. But the decision to start Pogba there could be a tactical one more than anything else.

Villarreal are expected to sit back and make things tough for the Red Devils, waiting to hit them on the counter-attack. Thus, Pogba’s creativity from deep could play an important role in unlocking their defence.

Also, it allows them to start with Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford at the same time, which will be a goal threat to any defence in the world. Now, it remains to be seen how things play out.