United v Villareal, Uefa youth league

[Adnan]

I'm gonna miss this game but it's gonna be a real test against against a Villarreal team that plays league football in Spain. It seems like we're gonna line up in 532/352 variant, with a midfield 3 of Mainoo, Hansen and Hannibal. Game kicks off at 1pm, and hopefully the likes of @Mickson and @AltiUn will keep me updated.

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[Bertie Wooster]

Good to see most of the promising talents involved - Fernandez, Hansen, Mainoo, Hannibal, Elanga...

Anyone know if Willy Kambwala is injured again? He seems to have disappeared from the scene again in the last few weeks.

 

[pacifictheme]

No shoretire?

 

[Mickson]

No shoretire?

Injured.

I will watch the game so I can post my thoughts here!

 

[AltiUn]

Villarreal score, actually a really good ball in and a well placed header. It’s been a competitive game but this Villarreal side is genuinely very good.

Worth adding that Vitek has been outstanding this afternoon, 3 vital saves already.

 

[AltiUn]

Room for improvement in the second half. Hannibal typically getting kicked all over the pitch. Whilst a good side they’re very “Spanish” in their approach, late tackles, well organised, technically excellent, very theatrical and always seem to have the referees on their side.

 

[Remember the geese]

Atrocious stuff so far. So fortunate to only be one behind. Three simple long balls down the middle of the pitch should have brought three goals. A combination of Vitek and poor refereeing decisions have prevented this from being 5 or 6. We have talented individuals, but you'd never know it as we have so little of the ball. Completely dominated. The only crumb of a chance we had was on the counter when McNeil was too greedy and refused to play in Elanga.

 

[Mickson]

We are more or less completely outplayed. Awful in and out of position with a 3-5-2 who doesn't fit us. Two times a ball from their keeper has resulted in a clear goalscoring chance. There's no sync in the back three and Bennett and Hardley especially I think are very relieved that it is halftime. Marc Jurado is not a wingback, so I'm curious why they're playing this formation. If I have to guess, they will change it to the second half. Elanga has hardly touched the ball and our attacking talent is wasted so far. I have to say Villarreal is really good, a unit, and is beating United's press time and time again. Very flexible and comfortable all around. Vitek has been excellent and saved us on 2-3 occasions when they should've scored. 1-0 after 45, that's the only positive - we can still get something from this.

 

[AltiUn]

We are more or less completely outplayed. Awful in and out of position with a 3-5-2 who doesn't fit us. Two times a ball from their keeper has resulted in a clear goalscoring chance. There's no sync in the back three and Bennett and Hardley especially I think are very relieved that it is halftime. Marc Jurado is not a wingback, so I'm curious why they're playing this formation. If I have to guess, they will change it to the second half. Elanga has hardly touched the ball and our attacking talent is wasted so far. I have to say Villarreal is really good, a unit, and is beating United's press time and time again. Very flexible and comfortable all around. Vitek has been excellent and saved us on 2-3 occasions when they should've scored. 1-0 after 45, that's the only positive - we can still get something from this.

The formation switch is a bit odd, I suspect it's a bit of PTSD from the reverse fixture. We've got enough talent in this team not to have to resort to something like this.

Started the second half much more positively, at least.

 

[AltiUn]

Hannibal always seems so cultured on the ball. We've done better this half but Villareal are an incredibly stubborn defensive outfit, not many half spaces to pick up out and when we do they're already in the process of suffocating the player in space. Very well-drilled.

 

[Berbaclass]

1-1 McNeil

 

[elmo]

Good to see most of the promising talents involved - Fernandez, Hansen, Mainoo, Hannibal, Elanga...

Anyone know if Willy Kambwala is injured again? He seems to have disappeared from the scene again in the last few weeks.

My guess when the academy players go missing without any injury report lately is that they're down with covid.

 

[Berbaclass]

Fernandez should be in the first team picture sooner or later.

 

[Champ]

That was a nice goal, Unselfish from Elanga

 

[AltiUn]

A well-earned equaliser, good decision making from Elanga choosing not to go for goal himself.

A minute earlier there was some delightful play involving Mainoo, Fernandez and Mejbri(?).

 

[AltiUn]

Some peculiar refereeing there, a Villareal player went down and the referee let them play on for almost a minute until United regained possession and looked to counter, then decided to stop play.

 

[Champ]

Elanga really is an exciting player to watch. Very positive in everything he does, really hope he can break through to the first team under the new manager.

 

[holdsteady]

Mather slips in Savage who finds Garnacho on the penalty spot, he does well to create space but finishes poorly. The chance was there.

 

[AltiUn]

Some sloppy play around the back nearly gives Villarreal their second.

 

[Yagami]

I know a channel on YouTube that uploads some of these youth games in full. Mainly does all youth groups of Barcelona and Real Madrid. If it gets uploaded I'll tag you, @Adnan .

 

[AngeloHenriquez]

2-1

 

[Berbaclass]

Great play from Elanga and Fernandez. 2-1 Mather.

 

[Champ]

Wingplay pays dividends!! Goal United

 

[lenny_1248]

Great second half.

 

[AltiUn]

This fullback will be having nightmares about Elanga tonight, he’s made mince meat of him.

 

[holdsteady]

Get in

 

[Berbaclass]

Massive credit to Vittek for keeping us in the game. Could have been 4-0 before we equalized.

 

[holdsteady]

Hannibal being kicked to hell here as per usual

 

[AltiUn]

These lot are absolutely filthy.

 

[Berbaclass]

The referee is shocking.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Hannibal being kicked to hell here as per usual

Which is a compliment as he is a threat, but they will also know he can be wound up. He doesn't get the protection from refs he should.

 

[Berbaclass]

Good work from the lads against these dirty feckers. 2-1 United FT

 

[AltiUn]

The referee is shocking.

May as well have pulled on a Villarreal kit for the last 20 minutes.

 

[Champ]

Great second half,

Elanga electrifying, Mengi a rock at the back, Garnacho looked good when he came on, and a special mention for Hannibal, got kicked off the park but carried on running the show and didn't react at all.

 

[Remember the geese]

Much better second half. Everyone stepped up and showed a lot more intensity. Villarreal were overly physical and it was good to see our players not fall into the trap. Especially pleased with Hannibal. How many times does he get kicked?

 

[Mickson]

A very good second half, where I thought everyone was good but Hannibal, Fernandez, and Mengi in particular. Great turnaround and everyone was playing well, great play from the subs too. Credit to Vitek for his first half though and from the coaching stuff to turn this around.

 

[Lost bear]

Good work from the lads against these dirty feckers. 2-1 United FT

Excellent second half. Referee was terrible, Hannibal and Elanga- and Fernández- great. Lots of promise there. First time I’ve enjoyed a Utd game for weeks!

 

[AjaxCunian]

How were Hansen/Mainoo?

 

[Mickson]

How were Hansen/Mainoo?

Didn't have their best games, although Hansen was decent in the end. Mainoo was subbed quite early so it's hard to tell and he played in the first half when everyone was rather poor. I would love to see Mainoo in the setup like in the second half.

Hannibal, Mainoo
Mather, Hansen, Elanga
McNeill

 

[dutchred]

How was Mainoo? He is still very young but impressive