What a time. After Villarreal’s last Champions League match had the looming cloud of Unai Emery’s future hanging over it due to the public links of his possible move to Newcastle, Tuesday’s match on Paramount+ will have them face a caretaker manager for Manchester United. Following Ole Gunnar Solskjar’s dismissal over the weekend, Michael Carrick will lead the team on a trip to Estadio de la Cerámica. It doesn’t seem likely that United will be any closer to naming a manager by this match but Carrick will have an important task as Villarreal and Atalanta winning could put United into third place prior to the final matchday.
Villarreal will hope that this is the time when they’ll get their first Champions League victory over United as they have four draws and one loss in their previous meetings. Manchester United has also been waiting until late to be bailed out by Cristiano Ronaldo in this competition but with Villareal’s defense, the option may not be there if they don’t score early. Ronaldo has scored in each of United’s first four Champions League matches and could set a record for English teams if he scores in a fifth consecutive match.
Here’s are storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Nov. 23 | Time: 12:45 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio de la Cerámica — Villarreal, Spain
- Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Villarreal +190; Draw +245; Manchester United +140 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Featured Game | Villarreal vs. Manchester United
Storylines
Villarreal: Villarreal is in a good spot as they have two bites at the apple and a victory against Manchester United or Atalanta will see them through to the knockout stages. Because of that, they would hope to capitalize on their opponents turmoil while playing a match in their home stadium. They’ve had mixed form in La Liga and are currently sitting in 12th place but when it comes to Champions League play that hasn’t made a difference so far.
Manchester United: Manchester United would like nothing more than a victory to avoid the news cycle from growing into a full hurricane. Carrick isn’t expected to make wholesale changes in his first match in charge but that shouldn’t matter as the team playing to their potential will be enough to see them through. With Ronaldo in tow, United also has the biggest weapon in the game which usually decides close ties.
Prediction
A Ronaldo brace will be too much for Villarreal to bounce back from. Pick: Manchester United 2, Villarreal 0
