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#2 Bruno Fernandes vs Etienne Capoue
Bruno Fernandes is a player at the prime of his career, coming off a 30 goals + assists league season. He will be up against 32-year-old Etienne Capoue, who was sold by championship team Watford during the 2021 winter window. The difference in quality is astronomical, but it is difficult to predict who turns up in a one-off game. The odds, however, lie with Fernandes.
Etienne Capoue was bought in January by Villarreal after Vincente Iborra's injury in December forced Unai Emery to change his 4-1-4-1 formation into a 4-4-2, with Parejo and Capoue in midfield. Surprisingly, the former Spurs midfielder has settled in well at Villarreal, forming a decent partnership with Parejo and missing just five league games out of twenty for Unai Emery's side.
Bruno Fernandes will have the duty to tear apart Villarreal's two banks of four as it's highly likely that the Spanish side will sit back and look to hurt Man United on the counter-attack through quick transitions. It is an ideal scenario for Capoue, as he will have to defend less space against the threatening midfielder.
#1 Gerard Moreno vs Victor Lindelof
The best battle of the night has to be between the high-flying Gerard Moreno and Victor Lindelof. Harry Maguire missing out would be a huge blow to Man United's hopes of clinching the trophy as Gerard Moreno would be more than happy to pit his wits against the Swedish centre-back.
Victor Lindelof has been an underwhelming signing for Manchester United. Bought for a fee of £31 million, the 26-year-old is yet to impose his authority on the team and amongst the fans, as many still don't seem to be convinced by his abilities.
On the other hand, there is Gerard Moreno. Villarreal fans are in love with the 29-year-old. Moreno became Villarreal's all-time top scorer in La Liga and has amassed forty goal contributions in forty-five games across all competitions this season. The former Espanyol striker has touched his peak form in Emery's 4-4-2 system as he drifts inside from wide, wins headers and often displays his quality on the ball.
Victor Lindelof will have the biggest job of the night and that would be to contain Gerard Moreno. The Spaniard has the quality to punish even the slightest of mistakes, and becoming a Villarreal legend by bringing home their first European trophy ever will be on his radar.
