It seems like a while since we were here after the excitement of the final Premier League weekend and as I look down livescore.com, there are fewer and fewer leagues still playing, at least not in the extremities of the time-zones anyway, but tonight at least, we have a big game...

@nathen007's Prediction

Man.U haven't won any silverware since he took the reins in the 2018/19 season and this has to be a huge opportunity against the team that could only muster 7th place in La Liga last season.

Sir Alex Ferguson has actually travelled to Gdansk with the team to :-

a) Hang out like a deranged elderly groupie and add more pressure to the players whilst dribbling in his cornflakes or,

b) Act as a friendly motivator who is there to guide and answer any questions the players may have
*(Delete as appropriate)

Solskjaer has been doing his usual gushing during interviews this week, "I owe him my whole career."

Anyway, back to injuries and it looks like Man. U will be starting without Maguire who is still on crutches and long term absentees, Anthony Martial and Phil Jones who still have dodgy knees.
Big decisions will need to be made over the choice of keeper as Dean Henderson has had a fine season and is pushing to keep his place between the sticks.

Villareal under former Arsenal boss Unai Emery (who has won this cup three times already) have had a really poor season in the league which in a way warrants their status as underdogs in this game but they are injury-free and motivated as failure to win will consign them to the newly created Europa Conference next year and let's be honest, any competition with 'conference' in the title is for really, REALLY shit teams!

Last statistic. Villareal have 12 wins and two draws to their name in their 14 Europa League matches this term. Think carefully gang because...

If Manchester United lose, I will double the Jackpot! What are you going to do?!!

Prediction: Villareal 2 : 1 Manchester. United - First Goalscorer: Yeremy

Simply write the name of the FIRST GOALSCORER and the CORRECT SCORE as a comment. The competition closes 5 minutes before kick-off which is 20.00 BST. DOn't forget, its the 90min score that counts!

The Small Print

In the first goalscorer competition, own goals do not count. In the correct score competition, it's the score after 90mins. Extra time and penalties do not count and the pot for each competition will roll over if there is no winner. If more than one person chooses the same first goalscorer or correct score, the prize is shared and everyone gets a little upvote! It seems I also need to add, one entry per person. Don't forget the new rule that only people with a rep of 45 or above are eligible to enter unless they have been approved. The bonus will be added to any winnings ONLY if Leeds United win and/or Man U lose and all payouts will never exceed 50% of post payout. Other bonuses paid out at my discretion.

That's it for today so good luck to everyone and enjoy what I think should be a very interesting game of football as long as nerves don't get the better of the two teams!

Marching On Together

@nathen007