Manchester United and Villarreal will square off in the Europa League final on Wednesday night in Gdansk. The Red Devils won the Europa League in the 2016-17 season, which is also the last time they won a trophy, and they will look to add it that later tonight.
The Red Devils failed in the semi-finals stage of last year’s Europa League, but had no problems this time around as they won 8-5 on aggregate against Roma.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have looked strong in Europe’s second-tier competition, losing just one of their eight ties, which came last time around against the Italian side. They’ve been superb in front of goal, scoring 18 goals in eight games in the Europa League.
Manchester United Team News
The biggest question going into the Europa League final for Manchester United is the availability of their captain and best defender Harry Maguire.
Solskjaer revealed in his press conference that he will give Maguire time till a few hours before kick-off to see if he is fit. Anthony Martial and Phil Jones haven’t travelled with the squad and they will not be involved in the final.
🛤 A long, hard season has led us to this moment…
Let's make it count. 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝘀𝗵, 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘀! ✊#MUFC #UELfinal
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 26, 2021
Let’s take a look at the possible Manchester United lineup for the Europa League final against Villarreal.
Predicted Manchester United Lineup vs Villarreal
Goalkeeper
David de Gea and Dean Henderson are both in the running to start the Europa League final and Solskjaer may trust the experience of de Gea in this key game. The Spaniard makes our predicted Manchester United lineup.
Defence
If Harry Maguire is fit, he should be named alongside Victor Lindelof in the Manchester United lineup. Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe are the alternate options for Solskjaer if Maguire isn’t ready for the final.
The Manchester United manager may go for the experience of Bailly, who has had some game time in recent weeks.
The full-back positions are easier to choose for Solskjaer as Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw have been his first choice for the entire season.
Midfield
It is pretty straightforward for Solskjaer in midfield too as the United manager has trusted Fred and Scott McTominay in the middle of the park this season.
Bruno Fernandes should start ahead of the two holding midfielders, he will be a key player for the team. Donny van de Beek, who was a second-half substitute for Ajax against Manchester United in the 2017 Europa League final, will be an option off the bench for Solskjaer.
Attack
Edinson Cavani should start up top, while Paul Pogba – who has been in good form over the last month or so – should start on the left side of the Manchester United lineup.
Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford will fight for the right side role and Solskjaer may stick with the experienced Rashford for the Europa League final.
Daniel James, Juan Mata, and Amad Diallo will be options off the bench for Solskjaer.
Predicted Manchester United Lineup vs Villarreal
