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UEFA Champions League Preview: Villarreal v Manchester United (Group D) [Tue Sep 13th, 2005]
The first of the Group D matches in this season’s UEFA Champions League takes United out to Spain to meet Everton’s conquerors, Villarreal.
BACKGROUND
Although not rated in the top group of Spanish football elite – Real Madrid and Barcelona – their performances over last season, thanks in no small part to the goals of a certain Diego Forlan – pushed them into European prominence.
United are the team with the European pedigree although it’s now six years since that unforgettable night against Bayern Munich. The Liverpool success last May against AC Milan rankled with United and their lack of success in recent years was highlighted by the return of the Champions League trophy to Anfield.
United set out on yet another European campaign in decent form. They dropped their first points of the season last Saturday in the Manchester derby, but the challenge of Europe should help them raise their game a notch. Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs were omitted from the starting eleven last weekend as the start of Fergie’s annual rotation scheme and both should appear in Spain along with other European stars like Van Nistelrooy and Rooney.
Villarreal came through the Everton qualifying tie with comparative ease to allow them entrance to the elite sections, but their feats in Spain last season proved that they aren’t in Europe just to make up the numbers. The match at the Nou Camp with Barcelona near the end of the season when Diego Forlan grabbed an unforgettable hat-trick proved their credentials and right to join the top clubs in the group stages.
For Manchester United the group offers up some attractive matches. Besides the undeniable appeal of the return of Diego Forlan there are also to be home and away matches against Lille. But for United fans the real attraction will be the two matches against Benfica, reviving memories of George Best and the Wembley triumph of 1968.
CURRENT FORM:
Villarreal haven’t been as prominent in Spanish football as last season. Two wins, one draw and one defeat, added to the two-leg victory over Everton, have made it a slow start to the season. This stuttering start has also had an impact on Diego Forlan who will hope that his Golden Boots form of last season returns for the visit of United.
Man U, however, are comparatively untroubled going into the match, with hopes of a successful European campaign as high as ever. It might just be that the United style will prove to be better suited to Europe than the more frenetic demands of the Premiership, and there are plenty of United fans offering a silent prayer that 2005-2006 might see them return to the highest level of European football.
TEAM NEWS:
Villarreal: One major doubt after the 1-1 draw with Sevilla on Sunday. Juan Roman Riquelme is a major doubt for the United match but Villarreal will leave it to the last possible moment to allow him to prove his fitness.
Manchester United: Gary Neville is still missing after his groin injury suffered in the Debrecen game, and the derby last Saturday left no serious injuries so there should be virtually a full squad available for selection.
WATCH OUT FOR:
Villarreal: It has to be Diego Forlan. A popular figure during his time with United, his scoring exploits in Spain last season brought him a share of the Golden Boot, and he has endeared himself even further to Reds fans by declaring that he would love to return to United some time in the future.
Manchester United: The prolific Ruud Van Nistelrooy has started the season in mean form for United and he will be hoping to continue his unbelievable scoring record for United against European opposition.
PROBABLE STARTING XIs:
Villarreal: Viera, Gonzalo, Arruabarrena, Forlan, Josico, Roman, Kromkamp, Q.Alvarez, Tacchinardi, Cazorla, Jose Mari
Manchester United: Van der Sar, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Heinze, Fletcher, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Van Nistelrooy, Rooney.
Alan Lawson
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