MANCHESTER UNITED face Villarreal tonight in a crunch Europa League final in Gdansk.
After seeing off Roma in the semi-finals, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will be confident of winning this trophy for the first time since 2017.
- Kick-off time: 8pm BST
- Man Utd XI: To follow
- Villarreal XI: To follow
Follow all the build-up and action with our live blog below …
BETTING OFFER: 40/1 on Bruno Fernandes to score or assist
EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL BETTING SPECIAL
What time does Man Utd vs Villarreal kick-off?
- Kick-off is at 8pm BST.
- Around 9,000 tickets have been allocated with the game, with both United and Villarreal fans receiving 2,000 each.
What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?
The Europa League final between Man Utd and Villarreal will be shown live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport HD.
You can live stream all of the action from the BT Sport app, which is available for download onto your mobile device, tablet or Smart TV.
Can I watch for FREE?
Everybody will be able to watch this game for FREE on YouTube.
- EE customers can get BT Sport INCLUDED to their plan at no extra cost if they are on a plan with Smart Benefits – simply log in to EE and choose BT Sport app.
- And then get it on the big screen by texting SPORT to 150 to get a FREE three-month trial of large screen so you can cast all the action on your TV.
- At the end of the three months you will automatically roll onto the £15 per month subscription unless cancelled.
Team news
Unfortunately for United, it’s unlikely that captain Harry Maguire will be fit to start the final at centre-back.
The England defender is still recovering from his ankle injury and will want to make sure he is in tip-top shape for the Three Lions at this summer’s Euros.
David de Gea should start in goal ahead of Dean Henderson, while Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof take command at the back.
Edinson Cavani should start up top for the Red Devils.
Villarreal are waiting to hear if Juan Foyth will be fit for the final, while goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo could start ahead of the shaky Geronimo Rulli.
Etienne Capoue could make the Spanish side’s XI in midfield in place of Francis Coquelin, with Dani Parejo also expected to play in the middle of the park.
FANDEMONIUM
United fans have been getting into the party spirit in Gdansk ahead of tonight’s final.
The Red Devils will be backed by 2,000 travelling supporters from England tonight, as they face Villarreal in the Baltic city.
And as fans starved of European travel have arrived in the city, they’ve been quick to revel in the adventure and have a good time.
A great number have been seen enjoying Gdansk’s bars.
And no shortage of pints have been consumed in the city centre.
How good is it to see fans back?! The countdown well and truly on until kick-off now.
GREEN LIGHT
Mason Greenwood has been tipped to be named as the man of the match ahead of tonight’s game – by stadium operators in Gdansk.
Officials in Poland picked the 19-year-old forward as the star performer during screen tests at the PGE Arena.
Greenwood is in great form having fired in six goals in his last eight Premier League games.
His recent dazzling displays have seen him be included in Gareth Southgate’s 33-man provisional England squad for Euro 2020.
FREE TO WATCH
Worried you won’t be able to tune in tonight due to the game being on BT Sport?
Never fear – those kind people over at BT Towers are making this match FREE to watch on YouTube.
Cast to your TV if you want to watch on HD, or stream through your PlayStation or computer.
BOOKIES ODDS
United are an odds-on shot to take the win tonight in 90 minutes.
And if you’re playing even safer, they’re just 4/9 to lift the trophy.
- Man Utd – 17/20
- Draw – 23/10
- Villarreall – 7/2
- Man Utd to lift cup – 4/9
- Villarreal to lift cup – 9/5
Credit: Reuters RECENT FORM
Villarreal haven’t been at the top of their game in La Liga this season.
But in Europe they’ve excelled, beating Arsenal in the last round 2-1 on aggregate.
They were beaten by Real Madrid on the final day of the regular season – but only after the title chasers scored twice in the final four minutes.
Man Utd meanwhile are on a sticky run themselves, with one win in their last four games.
They were superb against Roma in the semi-final first leg, but were exposed after taking their foot off the gas in the Italian capital.
If you can expect anything tonight, it’s goals.
EARLY TEAM NEWS
Man Utd
- OUT – Phil Jones, Anthony Martial.
- DOUBTS – Harry Maguire.
Villarreal
- OUT – Iborra
- DOUBTS – Samuel Chukwueze, Juan Foyth.
Credit: Getty EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL
It’s their season on the line for Manchester United tonight.
Managers are judged by silverware at Old Trafford and so far in 2020/21 the cupboard is bare.
Well, that could all change this evening in Donetsk.
2,000 fans are in Poland to cheer on their Man Utd heroes as the Premier League side take on Villarreal for the Europa League crown.
It was 2017 the last time the Red Devils lifted this trophy, when they cruised past Ajax 2-0 in Sweden.
That feels like a lifetime ago now, with Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan on target that day.
Villarreal will be a tough test for the Red Devils, despite struggling to make an impact in La Liga this term.
United are strong favourites to see off a side who score plenty, but can’t keep goals out at the other end.
So, we’ve fans in the stands and two teams ready to battle it out for European honours.
Proper football is back, everyone.
Kick-off is at 8pm BST, start your countdown with us right here on SunSport.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
