VILVillarrealClub page
MUNMan UnitedClub page
Squad value€368.1m
Squad value€928.8m
Key playerAlberto Moleiro
Key playerBryan Mbeumo
Head coachIñigo Pérez
Head coachMichael Carrick
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Live on RTÉ, Premier Sports or Virgin Media · Ireland
Live on Sky Sport or Prime Video · Italy
Live on Ziggo Sport · Netherlands
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Live on TNT Sports or Prime Video · UK
Live on Paramount+, TUDN or DAZN · USA
Iñigo Pérez presses high even against the biggest sides, knowing it leaves space behind his defence to be attacked.
“Imagino un partido en que podemos presionar alto, sabiendo que ellos buscarán atacar la espalda.”I imagine a game in which we can press high, knowing they will look to attack the space behind us. our translation
Villarreal defend high enough that their right-back has a lot of grass behind him; Alex Freeman won the place because he has the pace to cover it.
“La oportunidad de Alex Freeman fue creciendo conforme Íñigo comprobó lo útil que podía resultar su velocidad para defender muchos metros a la espalda.”Alex Freeman's chance grew as Íñigo saw how useful his pace could be for defending a lot of space behind him. our translation
Unlike his Rayo side, this Villarreal try to control games by keeping the ball.
“Sorprendentes intenciones si uno vio al Rayo la temporada pasada, por la sorpresiva sorpresa de intentar controlar el partido desde el balón y no desde el juego sin él.”Pundits are split on how hard they chase the ball: some say they hunt the ball high up the pitch, others that they wait and pick their moments.
“A 4-2-4 built on "trios," third-man runs and a high press designed to create counter-attacks.”“United have proportionately deployed a high block to a greater extent than any other Premier League team this season (42%) and this is up considerably from Carrick’s time in charge last term (26%).”“Without the ball Carrick enforced a compact mid-block and a simple 4-4-2 press.”“In fact, the three games when opposition teams have completed most passes against United have come in the last three games against Como, Atletico Madrid and Leeds. This has coincided with Carrick's attempts to be more compact and solid defensively.”When pressed, United keep passing it around at the back rather than going long.
“Rather than force long balls forward when the press arrived, United’s centre-backs and goalkeeper kept circulating possession.”They keep the ball longer than they used to and work it through the centre, with Bruno Fernandes playing just behind the striker.
“Bruno Fernandes returned to the No.10 role, full-backs became more asymmetrical, and United played with longer, more central possession sequences.”