90min

Manchester United predicted lineup vs Villarreal - Champions League

By Matt O'Connor-Simpson

United lost their Champions League opener to Young Boys
United lost their Champions League opener to Young Boys / SEBASTIEN BOZON/Getty Images
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Manchester United have a chance to avenge last season's Europa League final defeat when they host Villarreal on Wednesday night.

The Red Devils made a terrible start to their Champions League campaign on Matchday 1, losing 2-1 to Young Boys after Aaron Wan-Bissaka was sent off.

The dismissal means he will miss this one and that is not the only selection headache Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to solve. Here is the starting XI he is most likely to go with at Old Trafford.

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Diogo Dalot
Dalot is in line for a rare start / Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

David de Gea (GK) - Dean Henderson stepped up his return to full fitness with a runout in the Carabao Cup last week but after a strong start, De Gea is in no danger of losing the number one jersey.

Diogo Dalot (RB) - With first-choice Aaron Wan-Bissaka suspended following his red card against Young Boys, Dalot is likely to be drafted in. He enjoyed a solid campaign with Milan last season and will be desperate to impress.

Victor Lindelof (CB) - Harry Maguire was forced off against Aston Villa and is a doubt for the Villarreal game. The man who replaced him on Saturday, Lindelof, should take his place.

Raphael Varane (CB) - With Maguire out, the impetus will be on Varane to marshal the backline against Villarreal.

Alex Telles (LB) - Luke Shaw was also withdrawn against Villa due to injury. As a result, Alex Telles - who struggled in his last outing - will start at left-back.

2. Midfielders

Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes may feel he has a point to prove / Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Fred (CM) - The tireless Brazilian should beat off competition from Donny van de Beek to start. Villarreal have accomplished ball players in their side and like to dominate possession. Fred could be key in disrupting that.

Scott McTominay (CM) - McTominay will line up alongside Fred, tasked with giving Villarreal a tough evening.

Bruno Fernandes (AM) - After missing a penalty and penning a lengthy apology (or at least paying a PR manager to do it for him), Fernandes will be desperate to bounce back on Wednesday.

3. Forwards

Jadon Sancho
Sancho is yet to impress in red / Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images

Jadon Sancho (RW) - Sancho has not got going since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Could this be the game where it starts to click into place for the forward?

Cristiano Ronaldo (ST) - Ronaldo bagged his side's only goal in their 2-1 defeat to Young Boys on Matchday 1, increasing his record Champions League tally to 135. Do not bet against him moving onto 136 in midweek.

Paul Pogba (LW) - After an electric start to the season Pogba has been quitier in recent games. He is due a big Champions League performance and this could be the perfect stage.

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