Assistant coach and club legend Michael Carrick is now in charge (on an interim basis) at Manchester United, and he must start prepping right away, as a UCL group stage match immediately draws near. United will travel to Villarreal, on Tuesday night, in a rematch of last season’s UEFA Europa League finale.
The post Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era (his exit interview at this link) commences in midweek, with a clash that has been designated a security risk by the government. Also, for a look at four leading candidates to replace Solskjaer, go here.
Manchester United at Villarreal (UCL Group Stage) FYIs
Kickoff: Tue Nov 23, 5:45pm Old Trafford
United Team news: go here
Champions League Form Guide: United DWWD Villarreal DLWW
Champions League Standings: United 1st, 7pts Villarreal 7pts
Let’s take a look at how Carrick could shape his team, in his very first game in charge (on an interim basis). Expect a couple fringe players, who don’t typically get minutes, to get a start here, because of a rash of injuries in the team.
Manchester United Starting XI Prediction at Villarreal (UCL)
David de Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot; Donny Van de Beek, Fred; Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Cristiano Ronaldo
Prediction: United 2, Villarreal 1
New manager bounce, right? I guess we’ll see if there is a moral boost that results in a victory.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Bank (TheSportsBank.Net) and author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” as well as “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune, and co-hosts the After Extra Time podcast. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.