Manchester United vs Villarreal

Manchester United and Villarreal go head-to-head at Old Trafford in an exciting UEFA Champions League fixture.

Manchester United head into proceedings having lost their last two domestic fixtures 1-0 as they look to bounce back against familiar foes Villarreal. United suffered a penalty shoot-out heartbreak in last season’s Europa League grand final against the Spaniards, stretching their winless European streak against this opposition to five matches (D4, L1). Curiously, each of their four Champions League H2Hs has ended goalless. After falling to a dismal 2-1 away loss to Young Boys in their Group F curtain-raiser, the ‘Red Devils’ can ill-afford another slip-up here if they are to avoid another underwhelming European journey. Notably, they have never started a new Champions League campaign with consecutive losses. On a cautionary note, Man United have failed to win any of their last seven Champions League clashes against Spanish clubs (D3, L4) since a narrow 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in October 2013.

Villarreal shared the spoils with Atalanta in their Champions League opener, squandering a slender one-goal lead in the dying moments of the game to draw 2-2. Indeed, ‘El Submarino Amarillo’ have established themselves as ‘stalemate kings’ this season, drawing all but one of their nine fixtures in all competitions (W1 – 90 mins only). Curiously, while two of Villarreal’s last five competitive matches have ended goalless, the remaining three have seen 4+ goals and both teams on the scoresheet. That unpredictability contrasts their recent showings in major European competitions, where the Spaniards are unbeaten in their last 16 outings (W12, D4). Owners of the longest undefeated European streak among the participating sides, Unai Emery’s men will look to post their first competitive victory away from home since mid-May (D4, L1).