Manchester United take on Villarreal in Poland on Wednesday night as they look to end the 2020/21 campaign by lifting the Europa League trophy.
United had the luxury of resting their key players on the final day of the Premier League season after already wrapping-up second spot. Despite fielding a severely weakened side, the Manchester giants still managed to end the season with a 2-1 victory over Wolves at Molineux.
With Champions League football in the bag for next year, United should be relaxed heading into the Europa League final but no doubt Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will still be desperate to land his first piece of silverware as manager.
However, the Norwegian coach will be up against Unai Emery on Wednesday night and the Spaniard has a formidable record in this competition having reached the final on four previous occasions – winning three times.
Emery got the better of Mikel Arteta in the semi-finals after Villarreal edged past Arsenal 2-1 on aggregate so Manchester United shouldn’t be taking anything for granted.
United favourites
Manchester United are the 5/6 favourites with https://22bet.com/mobile/ to win the Europa League and most of the smart money will be on the Premier League outfit. Villarreal are available at odds of 15/4 to lift the trophy while the draw can be backed at 5/2.
We think Man Utd will edge it 2-1 and that scoreline is priced at 13/1. If you want even more value, then we can add Edinson Cavani to score first in a 2-1 Man Utd for huge odds of 130/1.
Big guns return
Harry Maguire remains a doubt for United as he’s been struggling with an ankle injury lately. Solskjaer will give him every opportunity to prove his fitness but it remains to be seen whether Maguire will be available.
Anthony Martial is another doubt for United as he’s been on the sidelines with a knee injury since the March international break. The Frenchman could return to the squad but a place on the bench is the best he can realistically hope for.
Fred and Scott McTominay missed the win at Wolves with minor knocks that they picked up against Fulham but the midfield duo should be fit to return against Villarreal.
Solskjaer will recall his big guns with Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani among those set to return.
Villarreal attacker Samuel Chukwueze is an injury doubt while Juan Foyth and Vicente Iborra are also on the sidelines.
Score prediction
This is a great opportunity for Manchester United to land some silverware and we don’t think they’ll pass it up. Villarreal are a well organised outfit under Emery and are capable of causing problems, but United should be too strong.
Man Utd 2-1 Villarreal
