How players with points to prove performed for interim coach
This fixture was a reminder of how badly the Holland midfielder had fallen under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. In last year’s Europa League final, with the destination of the trophy in the balance, Solskjaer did not trust Van de Beek, sending on Fred and Daniel James in extra time instead.
Michael Carrick handed him his first start, two months after he was selected in a Carabao Cup game. He was expected to help support Cristiano Ronaldo with attacks from a No10 position, but it was difficult to impose himself on the game with United surrendering possession.
Much of his work was done in defensive areas as United risked getting overrun in midfield. He deserves credit for assessing that problem rather than abandoning defensive duties to attack.
But he was clearly short of match fitness, his runs being half a second behind his team-mates and a mistimed tackle on Pervis Estupinan, earning a yellow card, showed that he needs a run of games to get his rhythm. Taken off after 65 minutes.
Aaron Wan-bissaka
Under Solskjaer he received criticism for not getting forward enough or providing quality crosses for attackers to get on the end of.
Carrick hardly turned him into Cafu overnight, although as the game wore on he advanced up the pitch more and was attempting to forge attacks.
Earlier, he shifted the ball out to Jadon Sancho and stopped in his tracks. After seemingly thinking about a raid forward, he drifted back towards the full-back area rather than trusting his attacking instincts. It needed United to open the scoring for his confidence to increase.
His one-v-one defending is still good when he faces wingers with pace, with enough speed to get himself out of trouble. Arnaut Danjuma had less success on that flank compared to Old Trafford, when Wanbissaka was suspended.
Harry Maguire
At Watford, in his last action as a Solskjaer player, he looked shellshocked and out of control as he was dismissed. Here he seemed to have collected himself and was ready to start afresh.
Maguire was put up for media duties before the game and admitted the players “have to take a big responsibility as well” following Solskjaer’s dismissal. At least there was a response from the players, even if they were overrun at times.
United still looked vulnerable
with Maguire and Victor Lindelof at the heart of their defence and it needed David de Gea to rescue them with a string of impressive saves.
Maguire marshalled the back line and tried to keep possession, but it was tough against a team intent on pressing. A third clean sheet of the season showed how well they did in Spain, and also their problems this season.
Jadon Sancho
A spectacular first goal for United, crashing his finish off the bar in the final stages. It was just reward for a fine performance.
In the first half, when United
barely saw the ball, it was naturally difficult for Sancho to make an impact. But he remained patient and made good decisions when his team-mates eventually found him.
Just before the half-hour mark he showed what he was capable of with a pacy cross that invited a striker to finish it off. His first run led to him collecting the ball from a De Gea throw and attack Villarreal at speed before laying off a pass that Van de Beek should have done better with.
In the second half he should have scored his first United goal, but Geronimo Rulli saved. United’s £73million summer signing was willing to muck in for a result.
Anthony Martial
Carrick made a huge call by picking the forward for his first Champions League start of the season and only his fourth in all competitions. He was named ahead of Marcus Rashford, who has been in good form.
Martial tried to link up with Alex Telles on the left flank but it was a frustrating hour or so for him before he was taken off.
It was only when Carrick made his substitutions that United got into the game more and Ronaldo snatched his goal. His presence adds competition to get in the team as Bruno Fernandes and Rashford push for recalls.