'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester United are just a day away from playing in their first final under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as they take on Villarreal in the UEFA Europa League.
The Red Devils made it all the way up to the semi-finals of the competition last year, where they were pitted against Julen Lopetegui's Sevilla. The record UEL champions got the better of Manchester United and went on to win the final against Internazionale.
Solskjaer has fallen at several hurdles in the past, including the FA Cup semi-final and the EFL Cup semi-final. However, he will hope to end Manchester United's trophy drought by guiding his Red Devils to a victory over the Yellow Submarine.
That being said, it will not be an easy task for them as Villarreal are helmed by Unai Emery, who is set to manage in his sixth UEL final. The former Arsenal boss is a true master of the Europa League and his credentials in Europe speak for themselves.
As Manchester United are set for their showdown at the Polsat Plus Arena Gdansk, we take a look at how they could line up for the game.
Manchester United Predicted XI
Goalkeeper: David de Gea
Despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer switching his goalkeepers, particularly in 2021, the choice for the starting keeper in the final is a relatively easy one.
For starters, David de Gea has been the go-to custodian for the UEL since late February and, barring an odd game or two, he has exclusively been a cup keeper. This is a massive indication that points to the Spaniard's selection in goal for Manchester United.
Even if this wasn't the case, Solskjaer could understandably opt to field his most experienced goalkeeper for what is arguably their biggest game of the season so far. De Gea has kept two clean sheets in his four UEL games so far, conceding five times and saving 80% of the shots he's faced.
Defence: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Luke Shaw
The full-backs essentially pick themselves as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Luke Shaw are Manchester United's best pair of wide defenders.
Shaw has been in the form of his life, and he could very well be one of their biggest difference-makers on the night. Wan-Bissaka will be important in helping nullify Villarreal's threats out wide and will surely play an important role as well.
The centre of defence is, perhaps, where Solskjaer's biggest selection headache lies. Despite traveling with the squad, Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is unlikely to feature for the side in the final. This leaves them without arguably their best defender for the game.
Solskjaer will be forced to field either Eric Bailly or Axel Tuanzebe to fill in for his skipper. While the latter has looked in better touch during the previous game they played, the former is likelier to start. Bailly is the more experienced defender of the pair and despite the injury issues he's faced, the Iroviran is fit and available for the final.
Bailly could be set to line up against his former side, Villarreal, in the UEL final alongside Victor Lindelof.
Also read: Top 5 Premier League clubs whose academy players have played most minutes this season
Defensive midfield: Scott McTominay, Fred Rodrigues
Given the importance of the game against a stubborn and dogged Villarreal midfield, Solskjaer is almost certain to opt for his trusted pairing of Fred and Scott McTominay.
The Red Devils' most used midfield paring of the campaign is the obvious choice for the pivot as they provide the solidity needed in a game as crucial as this. They might have their flaws when in possession as their shortcomings have been scrutinised in the recent past.
Fred, in particular, was quite poor over the last month or so, and his errors have cost his side a handful of goals, against the likes of AS Roma, Aston Villa, and others. However, the Brazilian and the Scot are still the best-suited players to deal with whatever Villarreal have to throw at them in the middle. They are more mobile than an aging Nemanja Matic and are more resolute at the back than Paul Pogba.
Attacking midfield: Bruno Fernandes
There is little doubt that Bruno Fernandes will be the first name on the teamsheet in Gdansk for Manchester United. The Portuguese is their most influential player going forward and, with Maguire likely to be unavailable, Fernandes will captain the side.
The 26-year-old has been very vocal about his desire to lift trophies at Manchester United since his move in 2020, and tomorrow, he will be 90 minutes away from doing so. He will hope to add further to his tally of 45 goals and assists across all competitions in what will be his 58th game of the season.
Attack: Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani, Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba's best performances of the 2020-21 campaign have come from the left-hand side of the attack and he is likely to reprise his role there. The French superstar's sparkling form in 2021 has taken a bit of a hit over the last few weeks but he will be expected to turn up for his side in their biggest game so far.
Pogba played an instrumental role in their knockout victories against Granada and AS Roma, and scored the winner to fire them past AC Milan as well. The 28-year-old will have a chance to lift his second UEL trophy with Manchester United.
Marcus Rashford is likeliest to line up on the opposite side to Pogba in attack. While the Englishman hasn't played too often on the right side of a front three, he has shown that he can still be effective over the course of the 2020-21 campaign.
The Red Devils' homegrown superstar has come up with some brilliant crosses to serve Edinson Cavani inside the box and has managed to terrify opposition defences from the right. Mason Greenwood has been in sublime form and could possibly stake a claim for a start from the right.
However, Rashford's experience in playing bigger games and his devastating ability to get past his man could be opted for by Solskjaer. Greenwood would still be an incredible option to come off and turn the tides for the Red Devils, much like he did against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
Star striker Edinson Cavani will round off the attack and will look to lead Manchester United to their first piece of silverware in over four years.
The Uruguayan took his time to settle into life at Old Trafford but has been in stunning form of late, scoring goals aplenty for Solskjaer's side. He will surely be a handful for an impressive Villarreal backline and is a sure-shot starter for Manchester United in their UEL final.
The Red Devils' number nine Anthony Martial is not part of the traveling squad as he continues to recover from injury.
