In a replay of last season’s UEFA Europa League finale, Manchester United will take on Spanish team Villarreal in the Round 2 of the Champions League fixtures on Wednesday. 

Manchester United will be under serious pressure to qualify if it loses at home to Villarreal, having started group play with a shocking defeat at Young Boys in Switzerland. United comes into the game having been beaten 1-0 twice in the past week, both times at home, first to West Ham in the English League Cup and then to Aston Villa in the Premier League.

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Villarreal defeated United in a penalty shootout in the Europa League final last season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be without captain Harry Maguire, who could be sidelined for a “few weeks” because of a calf injury.

Villarreal, still unbeaten this season, is likely to be without striker Gerard Moreno because of an injury.

Manchester United ( 4-2-3-1)

Solskjaer has stuck to his traditional 4-2-3-1 system with Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba forming the midfield two. Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood will provide width while Cristiano Ronaldo will be the central figure upfront. In scored in his second Champions League debut for the Red Devils and will look to extend his scoring run.

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Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes returns to the lineup after missing a crucial penalty against Aston Villa at the weekend.

Villarreal (4-3-3)

The major miss for Villarreal and Unai Emery will be the absence of Gerard Moreno upfront. Paco Alcacer will take his place while Yeremy Pino and Arnaut Danjuma will act as the wingers in a traditional 4-3-3 setup.

Skipper Raul Albiol and Pau Torres will take up the centre-back spots while Alberto Moreno and Juan Foyth will be the fullbacks.