Manchester United need a win. They desperately need a win in Spain against Villareal, not only to cement their trip to the next round of Champions League, but also to receive a much needed morale boost, which has been crushed by recent defeats from Liverpool (0-5) and Watford (4-1). Everybody knows that: the caretaker manager Michael Carrick, the players and the Villareal coach Unai Emery.First days in new jobs don’t come much harder than Carrick’s! It’s Villareal away in the Champions League!A possible defeat against the ‘Yellow submarine’ would put United’s qualifications for the Round 16 of the Champions League in jeopardy, and would make a horrible introduction to the Sunday’s match with Chelsea. After Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left the club, his long-time assistant Michael Carrick took over and hinted at changes against Villareal on Tuesday.“I worked closely with Ole and we do have very similar beliefs – we did as players and we certainly do as coaches. Of course I’ve got my own personality to Ole but we’re very similar and that’s why we worked together for so long. I’m not giving too much away about what my plans are but I’m very clear in my own mind about how we want to play and I’m looking forward to seeing that on the pitch” said Carrick at the press conference ahead of the game.It’s a no-brainer doing your United job better than Ole, but who can solve the CR7 issue?Former United midfielder admitted he had a tough time seeing his former teammate and boss getting sacked, but also reminded that the players need a quick change of mindset ahead of potentially crucial game in the Champions League.“To see Ole unfortunately lose his job yesterday was tough for me and tough for a lot of people at the club. You could tell by the emotion around the place yesterday what Ole meant to everyone. We understand and Ole understands it’s a results business so as much as you build the right foundations and environment and you show people the way, you sometimes don’t get what you deserve. The focus now is on flipping our mindset very quickly and that’s something this club has done very well historically. It’s a privilege for me to sit in this position and I understand the possibilities that come with that” explained Carrick.14 – Manchester United are on a current run of 14 consecutive home matches without a clean sheet; only once in their history having a longer run without a clean sheet at home, between April 1958 and March 1959 (21). Screams. pic.twitter.com/iKYppEKb26— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 21, 2021 Villareal coach Unai Emery is very aware of the fact that United made a change just before a duel with his team and warned his players to expect a reaction from their opponents.“When there’s a coaching change, there’s a reaction one way or another. The focus will be more on the players than on the bench. The players know, even though they are professional and must always deliver, that they have to show their faces – for Manchester, for the coach that left, and the one that has arrived or will come. I expect a very good Manchester United because of their players and the significance of this game” said Emery.
