Europa League

MANCHESTER UNITED fell at the final hurdle as Villarreal won Wednesday’s Europa League final.The Red Devils played out a 1-1 draw for 120 minutes before suffering defeat on penalties, with David De Gea missing after all 20 outfield players, and the Spaniards’ keeper Geronimo Rulli, had hit the target.
Edinson Cavani was Man Utd’s best player as he scored against VillarrealCredit: AFP
But who was United’s best player tonight? And did anyone have a game to forget?
Here, SunSport’s Anthony Chapman delivers his Man United player ratings…
DAVID DE GEA – 5
Bad pass out to defence directly resulted in Villarreal’s opener.
Fumbled at Moreno’s strike instead of reproducing one of the fantastic saves he made in the last round against Roma.
De Gea then failed to make a single save in the shootout before missing his penalty to hand Villarreal the win, in what could be his last game for the club.
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AARON WAN-BISSAKA – 7
Played higher and wider than usual as Solskjaer looked to capitalise on Villarreal’s narrow approach.
Made some good tackles in the final third to unsettle the Spaniards and was brave with passing, but his final ball was lacking.
Scott McTominay was an impressive driving force in midfieldCredit: PA

ERIC BAILLY – 6
Former Villarreal defender looked fairly comfortable as he drifted wide to cover for the marauding Wan-Bissaka.
But couldn’t compensate for Maguire’s much-missed leadership skills and could have done more to prevent Villarreal’s opener.
VICTOR LINDELOF – 5
Grabbed at Moreno’s shirt but was unable to prevent striker from hitting target for Villarreal’s opener.
Should have stepped up in Maguire’s absence but was a poor imitation of the injury United captain.
LUKE SHAW – 7
Switched off for Villarreal’s goal as he allowed Moreno to run off him.
But kept high and wide up the left to provide a constant outlet when things got too heated in the middle of the park.
Bruno Fernandes did not turn up on the big stageCredit: PA
SCOTT McTOMINAY – 7
Gave off headless chicken vibes with some straight-line charges into Villarreal’s box.
But pulled his socks up in second half with some more refined play.
And tenacity paid off as he paved way for Cavani to eventually squeeze in an equaliser.
PAUL POGBA – 6
Back in his preferred position and looked to get on ball as often as possible.
But a lack of ingenuity with his passing failed to unlock Villarreal’s stubborn back line.
MASON GREENWOOD – 7
Showed glimpses of dynamism as he took up central positions near to Cavani.
Quick crosses demonstrated sharpness on the ball but technique wasn’t quite there to capitalise on Villarreal nerves in second half.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 5
Virtually anonymous in the first half, with only notable moment when he argued for a corner after ball had clearly come off him!
Stepped up his efforts after the break as he looked to drive United forward but didn’t do much to end reputation of going missing on the big occasions. 
Marcus Rashford was not at the races in GdanskCredit: AP
MARCUS RASHFORD – 4
Dud dribbling and runs into cul-de-sacs saw United waste numerous attacks.
Then proceeded to miss one of the easiest chances he’ll ever get, sending the ball wide despite having the entire goal to fire at.
EDINSON CAVANI – 8
Worked his socks off as he led United’s high press against Villarreal’s nervy defence.
But over-eagerness saw him give away free-kick which assisted the Spanish side’s first-half goal.
However, showed real poacher’s instinct to fire in equaliser after the break.
SUBS
FRED (for Greenwood, 100′) – 5
Got 20 minutes to freshen things up but couldn’t adjust to game’s pace.
DAN JAMES (for Pogba, 115′) – N/A
AXEL TUANZEBE (for Bailly, 115′) – N/A
JUAN MATA (for McTominay, 122′) – N/A
ALEX TELLES (for Wan-Bissaka, 122′) – N/A

Paul Scholes says some Man Utd players don’t care after seing his team lose Europa League final More

GERARD MORENO finished off the perfect training ground routine to fire Villarreal ahead in the Europa League final.The Spanish forward, 29, made a darting run and half-volleyed beyond Manchester United stopper David De Gea with 29 minutes played in Gdansk.

Gerard Moreno lost his marker to bundle in the opening goal of the Europa League finalCredit: AP
But a closer inspection revealed just how clever the set play was.
Edinson Cavani gave away a free-kick around 40 yards away from his goal.
As Dani Parejo prepared to clip in a delightful ball, defender Raul Albiol held off Eric Bailly.
And that allowed space for Moreno to arc his darting run into and latch on to the ball ahead of Victor Lindelof.
It was not the sweetest connections but gave De Gea – picked ahead of Dean Henderson – no chance.
BT Sport pundit and United legend Rio Ferdinand was full of praise for Unai Emery’s side.
He said: “When we first saw it we just thought it was a cross into the box and there it is, goal.
“But this was actually definitely worked on the training field, they planned this goal.
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“Man United have got safety in numbers – eight players against four yellow shirts. You think everything looks rosey, looks fine.
“But cast your eye on Moreno, the goalscorer – look at him, disinterested, not interested in anything going on.
“As a defender you think he’s out of it and you don’t have to concentrate really.
“But look at his mate, his partner in crime, Albiol. He stops Bailly, impedes his movement.
“Then watch the movement of Moreno. Beautiful. Definitely from the training ground.
“This was definitely worked on at the training ground.” 🧠”Watch Albiol, checking his shoulder.” 👀Villarreal’s free-kick leading to Gerard Moreno’s opener was by no means a fluke…#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/aBpQEqLUJY— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 26, 2021

“Albiol checks his shoulder to see when his mate is coming and blocks Bailly.”
Owen Hargreaves added: “It is some ball from Parejo because they have meant this.
“That block, that run, the ball is fabulous.
“OK he doesn’t catch it cleanly. Lindelof sees him late and it makes it really hard. He gets enough on it.”
With the opener, Moreno became the first Villarreal player to score 30 goals in a single season since ex-Red Devils striker Giuseppe Rossi in 2010-11.
His strike was cancelled out by Edinson Cavani’s scrappy effort in the 2nd half.
But, after holding on thoughout extra-time, Moreno stepped up to successfully convert the first spot-kick in an epic penalty shootout as Villarreal won 11-10 afer keeper Geronimo Rulli converted his own effort before saving from David De Gea.
David De Gea could do nothing to stop the ball hitting the back of the netCredit: AFP
The Spanish forward wheeled away to celebrate his 30th goal of the seasonCredit: EPA
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JAMIE CARRAGHER appeared as the Pink Pundit on American TV, after betting on Liverpool to LOSE.The Liverpool legend appears on US telly for coverage of European matches.
Jamie Carragher donned a pink wig on US TV after losing a bet
The former England and Liverpool ace had his fellow pundits in stitches
And during a recent broadcast, the 43-year-old was hoping that his former side would beat Manchester United at Old Trafford, as their hunt for top four reached crunch time.
Presenter Kate Abdo suggested that Carra should wear a pink wig on air as a forfeit, if Liverpool were to lose the game.
But the former centre-back decided he’d rather do it if his old team were to WIN the game, in order to celebrate.
He said: “If Liverpool win, I’ll wear a wig for the Europa League.
“I’m not gonna get pink hair am I.”
As it so happened, the Reds produced a stunning 4-2 win at Old Trafford.
And Carragher stayed true to his promise.
Tuning in to watch the Red Devils take on Villarreal in Gdansk, CBS Sports viewers were treated to the sight of a former England defender grinning gleefully in a bright pink wig.

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Abdo, remembering the wager, tossed Carragher a plastic bag containing a pink wig.
And, flanked by his chortling former manager Rafael Benitez and fellow ex-England star Micah Richards, Carragher was a good sport.
He even added: “I’ll wear this now, and if United get beat I’ll wear this and my birthday suit.”
Carra then added: “This is gonna break the internet.”
Fortunately for fans in front of their TVs, the former England defender did NOT follow through with this threat, even after Villarreal triumphed 11-10 in a dramatic penalty shootout.

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Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards dance and do cartwheels on US Champions League coverage More

JUAN FOYTH was forced to change his shirt after blood poured from his nose in the Europa League final.The Villarreal defender, 23, took an accidental knee to the face from Manchester United star Paul Pogba early on in Gdansk.
Juan Foyth was bandaged up early on in the Europa League finalCredit: Getty
The defender had blood pouring from his nose after an early collision in GdanskCredit: Reuters
And the collision saw the on-loan Tottenham star channel his inner Terry Butcher as – despite the nasty-looking blow and concern from the Spanish side’s medical team – Foyth returned to the field, complete with a bandage around his head.
Ifab rules state players must have no blood on show so the famous yellow Villarreal shirt had to be swapped.
Foyth, who shone in the first leg of the semi-final against Arsenal, joined Unai Emery’s side on loan for the 2020-21 campaign after making just seven first-team appearances for Spurs last season.
The Argentine was making his 32nd appearance of the season in the final with his only goal on matchday one of the group stages against Sivasspor in October.
And he had a lively start to the Europa League final.
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His two tackles and two interceptions were both more than anyone else on the field in the opening 15 minutes against United.
The right-back knew he was going to be in for a busy evening with Marcus Rashford lining up on the United left wing as part of an attacking starting XI.
But it was worth playing through the pain barrier as Villarreal won a dramatic penalty shootout 11-10, after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes.
Paul Pogba checked on the wellbeing on his opponent after their accidental clashCredit: AFP
He was given a fresh famous yellow jersey and allowed back on by the fourth officialCredit: PA
Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand mocks Europa League final suits and insists he ‘wouldn’t be happy at all’ More

RIO FERDINAND, Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves hailed Manchester United’s attacking line-up to face Villarreal.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opted to play Edison Cavani up front with Mason Greenwood, tonight’s captain Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford in support for the Europa League final.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer named a strong starting XI for the Europa League finalCredit: Getty
Paul Pogba was put in the Manchester United midfield alongside Scott McTominayCredit: AP
But he also included Paul Pogba in midfield alongside Scott McTominay, meaning Fred must settle for a place on the bench for the showpiece in Gdansk.
David De Gea was chosen in goal with a back four of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw with injured Harry Maguire on the bench in case of an emergency.
And the trio from United’s 2008 Champions League-winning side were pleasantly surprised by the starting XI.
Scholes told BT Sport: “It’s not something he’s done all season. He has played two holding midfielders in there to protect the back two.
“It’s Lindelof and Bailly in there tonight, he’s gone for the experience and he’s chosen to play just one holding player with Pogba next to him.
“It’s a very attacking team, it’s something me and Owen were calling for in the last few games of the season, maybe to evolve the team a little bit and it’s a big night.
“Pogba has to be very disciplined in that role – almost the role he plays for France – can he do that? We’ll have to wait and see.
“I think his best football, Pogba, has been on the left-hand side, so Ole had a big decision to make – does he play Pogba or Rashford and leave Fred in there?
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“He’s decided to take Fred out of it and take the risk of playing Paul in there.”
One of the big decisions for Solskjaer was who to play between the sticks.
Dean Henderson was chosen for both legs of the last 32 and last 16 in the Europa League as well as the final game of the league campaign against Wolves.
But the Norwegian stuck with the more experienced De Gea in the quarter-finals and semis – and gave the Spaniard the nod against Villarreal.
And Scholes reckons it was the right call.
He added: “I think it’s the right call to go with the experience. I thought De Gea was left out of the team at the right time, I thought it was the time to give Henderson a chance.
“Has he taken that chance? I’m not sure he has. In the first couple of games, he looked nice and safe, nice and controlled, since then he’s looked a little bit shaky to me.
“He never approaches the game lacking any sort of confidence.””I think it’s a little bit of a risk.”@rioferdy5, Paul Scholes, and Owen Hargreaves discuss Paul Pogba’s role in tonight’s starting line-up…#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/t8ygp9i7UO— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 26, 2021

“David coming back into the team, I think he’s been excellent, you think of the Roma game away, he could have easily conceded five or six goals, but he was brilliant on the night.
“I’m glad he’s playing, he’s still, I don’t know what Ole thinks, but I still think he’s the number one.”
Ferdinand agreed and continued: “I think sometimes, at a point in your career, you need to be given a little shock.
“I think David De Gea fell out of form, and sometimes – no matter who you are – you can be player of the year four times in the last five or six years, so he was sitting pretty, he was almost untouchable.
“But then sometimes, your standard drops, you do need that shock. Get out of the team, sit down and watch, and then you regroup again.
“I think that’s what the situation with him was – and like Scholesy said, Henderson didn’t come in and grab the chance.”
De Gea ultimately missed the decisive kick as United lost 11-10 in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.
Paul Scholes reckoned going with such an attacking team was a bold callCredit: BT Sport
Rio Ferdinand felt choosing David De Gea in goal was the right decisionCredit: BT Sport

Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand mocks Europa League final suits and insists he ‘wouldn’t be happy at all’ More

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER hopes Europa League glory will kick-start another trophy-laden era at Manchester United.The Red Devils take on Villarreal in Gdansk aiming to end their four-year wait for silverware.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to end the four-year wait for a trophy at Man UtdCredit: Reuters
But boss Solskjaer reckons lifting the trophy can open the floodgates for more next season and beyond.
He said: “These are big nights for us. We have five wins in Europe and it might be the stepping stone for something better to come, a bright future. 
“This is a young team and it’s a team we have rebuilt over the last couple of years, so hopefully this is the start of something more.
“When players get the taste of success and win trophies, it can go two ways – ‘We’ve done it now and we can relax’ or it just gives you more of that feeling.
“You want more, you want it all the time, you want the feeling again with your team-mates, with your club.
“I trust these players. I’ve seen something grow inside them – more and more confident, more robust, resilient – and as a group, I’m confident we’re ready for this now.”
Jose Mourinho was in charge when United won the Europa League in 2017 – adding to their three European Cups and one Cup Winners’ Cup.
Of the 18 players in the matchday squad that night in Sweden, only Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and David De Gea could feature in Poland.
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Anthony Martial and Phil Jones are injured and the rest have left the club.
But despite the long wait for another trophy, Solskjaer knows his side are favourites to do the business in Poland after four semi-final exits under the Norwegian.
He added: “Every player who goes into a final has the expectation and pressure to win.
“We prepare to win, we plan to win, we expect to win, but I’m sure Unai Emery feels the same with his Villarreal team and his players.
“When players sign for Manchester United they do so to win trophies.
“They accept the challenge of being the best because this is the best club in the world, so that is the pressure of Manchester United.”
Jose Mourinho was the last United boss to lift a trophy, winning the Europa League four years ago in his first season at the clubCredit: Getty – Contributor
Paul Pogba is one of the few players who was involved in the 2017 win over AjaxCredit: AFP

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