A rainy night at Old Trafford saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaerthe future like United manchester coach argued by fans once again, with only the hosts rearguard action helping them to a dramatic late win against Villarreal on matchday 2 of the Champions League group stage.
Unai emery set up your Villarreal team identically to the Europa League final against the same opponent, although United He really struggled to break the bottom block of the Spanish team.
In truth, it was the visitors who had the best chances in the first half, with Arnaut Danjuma donation Diogo Dalot a torrid afternoon to the left.
David De Gea was forced to make a series of magnificent saves, including one from close range from Yeremi Pino.
Danjuma forced a save of De Gea himself when Raphael Varane misjudged the bounce of the ball when it was a routine loose pass.
Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood they were the main goals of the hosts, and the team was looking to deflect the ball at a wide pace to keep Villarreal’s determined backline moving.
However, there were no opportunities to United manchester while frustration on the ground grew as the game headed for halftime.
It was, then, a shock to the audience when Villarreal He opened the scoring in the 53rd minute of play.
Paul pogba got confused by Victor Lindelof charging out of position to close off a loose ball and the French midfielder then failed to follow his midfield runner as the Spanish team went ahead.
Dalot failed to cut a slide rule pass to Danjuma inside the penalty area and duly cut the ball across the goal surface to Paco Alcacer, who put the ball further De Gea in the nearby post.
With that being the first goal scored between the two teams in five Champions League games, few could see United find your way back to the game, but it actually came pretty fast.
A skillfully executed free kick near the corner flag saw Bruno Fernandes choose an unmarked Alex Such on the edge of the penalty area and the Brazilian fired a hard-hitting volley to the bottom corner.
This goal turned the tide and Fernandes he himself had the opportunity to fire a shot towards Geronimo Rulli Minutes later, but he slipped and rolled harmlessly in the Argentine’s path.
Old Trafford thought their time had come with 10 minutes left to play when the substitute Edinson Cavani had a header on the back post after a Greenwood crossed, but the ball was deflected, seeming to take the Uruguayan veteran by surprise.
Jesse Lingard I was next to the test Rollers with an opportunity in injury time when his shot crossed the near post and forced the Argentine to a quick stop on reflex.
