The Yellows lose to Manchester United, who scored two goals in the second half
The Yellows lose to Manchester United, who scored two goals in the second half
Villarreal CF suffered their first defeat in the UEFA Youth League (1-2). The Yellows were defeated by the Red Devils, who turned the game around in the second half with two goals in the last half hour.
Pere Martí’s side opened the scoring through Álex Jiménez, who who sent a great header into the back of the next after a fantastic through pass by Rodri Alonso. The Yellows were dominating the game and in control of it for the first 45 minutes. However, they went into the break with only a 1-0 lead. Jorge Pascual, Tiago Geralnik, and then, Antonio Pacheco, all missed big chances to increase the lead in the first half.
It was a completely different story in the second half. Manchester United were much better than the Yellows, who were unable to replicate their good performance that they showed in the first half. With an hour on the clock, McNeill equalized, and five minutes from time, Mather turned things around completely.
After the defeat at the Mini Estadi, Villarreal will need to beat Atalanta on Matchday 6 and hope that the English side fail to beat Young Boys to win the group and go directly to the Round of 16.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Jorgensen; Mateo (Carlos Segura, m. 87), Espigares, Marlone, Bonachera (Pablo Navarro, m. 70); Rodri Alonso, Gelardo, Pacheco, Tiago Geralnik (Jordi Ortega, m. 81); Álex Jiménez (Joan Torrents, m. 70), Jorge Pascual.
Manchester United: Vitek; Jurado, Bennet, Mengi, Hardley (Garnacho, m. 63); Mainoo, Mejbri, Hansen-Aaroen (Savage, m. 63), Fernández; McNeill (Mather, m. 63), Elanga.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 34: Álex Jiménez. 1-1. Min. 62: McNeill. 1-2. Min. 85: Mather.
Referee: Victor Jorge Fernandes (Portugal). Booked: Tiago Geralnik, Jordi Ortega, Aitor Gelardo (Villarreal); Hardley, Mengi, Fernández, Garnacho (Manchester United).
Matchday information: Match between Villarreal CF and Manchester United, corresponding to Matchday 5 of the UEFA Youth League 2021/22 at the Mini Estadi.
