Villarreal 0-2 Man United LIVE! - Ronaldo & Sancho score Champions League result, match stream and latest updates today

Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho fired Manchester United into the Champions League knockout stages on Tuesday evening.

Michael Carrick looked to keep his side compact and, for large parts, it worked against Unai Emery’s team.

Ronaldo scored his fifth goal of this group stage and 140th overall in the competition, adjusted his feet and lobbing the goalkeeper with a first-time effort in the 78th minute after Fred won the ball back high up the field.

Jadon Sancho then scored his first goal since his $100 million move to United, firing in off the underside of the crossbar in the 90th minute at the end of a sweeping counterattack that used to be a feature of the team under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Solskjaer is now gone, fired on Sunday following a run of woeful results that culminated in a humiliating 4-1 loss at Watford in the Premier League on Sunday.

Carrick, one of Solskjaer’s assistants, is filling in as a replacement until a more long-term interim is found and he put his stamp on the team by dropping Bruno Fernandes and starting Donny van de Beek

.Carrick oversaw a disciplined if limited performance by United until Ronaldo sparked an explosive ending with his 140th goal in the competition. He has scored in all five group-stage matches this season.United is in first place on 10 points, three more than Villarreal, and is assured of a top-two finish of its final Group F game at home to Young Boys in two weeks.

Whether Carrick will still be in charge then remains to be seen, but he has made a strong start to his interim tenure — even if David De Gea kept United in the game with two great saves to deny Manu Trigueros either side of halftime.In the first half, United sat off Villarreal and was opened up at times, with Ronaldo virtually anonymous playing mostly on the left of a front three with Sancho on the right and Anthony Martial.

He came to life in the second half and his goal was stunning after Fred dispossessed Etienne Capoue following an ill-advised pass out from the back by goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.

Ronaldo swivelled and placed his right-footed lob over Rulli just inside the near post.

Fred also sparked the break that was finished by Sancho in ruthless fashion following a lay-off from Fernandes, who came off the bench in the 66th.

“It’s massive for our season,” United captain Harry Maguire said.

“The last couple of months have been nowhere near good enough and we needed to get a result for our season and our fans. We need to make sure that’s just the start and we push on.”

Additional reporting from AP

Read More

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Orlandi column: Shackling Ronaldo and controlling possession key for Villarreal

Key Points

• Kick-off: 17.45pm GMT at the Estadio de la Cerámica

• How to watch

• Prediction

• Confirmed Man Utd teams: Bruno Fernandes dropped

• Confirmed Villarreal XI

• Kick-off!

• Half-time!

• GOAL: Villarreal 0-1 Man Utd | Cristiano Ronaldo

• GOAL Villarreal 0-2 Man Utd | Jadon Sancho

• Full-time: Villarreal 0-2 Man Utd

Jamie Carragher reacts to Man Utd win

20:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

The scenes at the end

20:05 , Jonathan Gorrie

Watch Jadon Sancho score his first goal for Man United

19:57 , Jonathan Gorrie

Declan Rice sends message to Jadon Sancho

19:51 , Jonathan Gorrie

Full-time Villarreal 0-2 Man Utd

19:45 , Jonathan Gorrie

Big performances from Fred, Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo take United into the knockout rounds.

Brilliant night for Michael Carrick.

GOAL: Villarreal 0-2 Man Utd | Jadon Sancho ‘87

19:41 , Jonathan Gorrie

90:00 - Beauty from Sancho - who scores his first goal for United - from just inside the box.

More good work from Fred to win the ball back.

Approaching the unthinkable

19:40 , Jonathan Gorrie

CHANCE FOR UNITED

19:36 , Jonathan Gorrie

84:00 - Ronaldo almost scores again!

This time, his chip over the ‘keeper goes just wide after reading a backpass header from Foyth.

Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo’s 799th career goal

19:34 , Jonathan Gorrie

United now looking up

19:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

80:00 - As it stands, United are through.

They’re now playing with their tails up after that stunning first-time lob from Ronaldo.

More records for Ronaldo

19:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

GOAL: Villarreal 0-1 Man Utd | Cristiano Ronaldo ‘78

19:30 , Jonathan Gorrie

78:00 Brilliant lob from Ronaldo after Fred’s pressing causes the home side to lose the ball in a dangerous area.

799 for club and country now.

Touch more intensity from United

19:26 , Jonathan Gorrie

72:00 - United look to be pressing more intensely now.

They’ve sat back for most of the game but the last 5 minutes have been impressive. Keep playing like this and surely one chance will present itself.

CHANCE FOR UNITED

19:23 , Jonathan Gorrie

71:00 - Fernandes finds Sancho in the box, who dummies the defender with a dummy, before hitting the ‘keeper.

Good work from United.

Rashford causing problems

19:22 , Jonathan Gorrie

70:00 - At last, United have runners.

While he was ultimately caught offside, Rashford is giving Ronaldo runners and creating space for him and Bruno Fernandes to work on.

A positive switch.

Here comes Bruno!

19:17 , Jonathan Gorrie

66:00 - Fernandes and Rashford come on for Van de Beek and Martial.

Honestly, what a squad United have!

ANOTHER CHANCE FOR VILLARREAL

19:15 , Jonathan Gorrie

62:00 - Danjuma finds space in the box and, while he couldn’t hit the target under pressure from Wan-Bissaka, is starting to find the ball a lot more often in dangerous areas.

A closer look at De Gea’s save

19:14 , Jonathan Gorrie

Good cover from Lindelof

19:13 , Jonathan Gorrie

61:00 - Lindelof does well to read a lofted pass through to Danjuma and deny the former Bournemouth man space to run into.

The home side are starting to open United up!

WHAT A SAVE

19:11 , Jonathan Gorrie

60:00 - Unbelievable save from David De Gea.

He denies Trigueros from point-blank range with a fingertip stop.

Good spell for Villarreal

19:07 , Jonathan Gorrie

56:00 - The home side are bossing possession, albeit without creating many clear-cut chances.

United, however, are defending well.

CHANCE FOR UNITED!

19:06 , Jonathan Gorrie

53:00 - Good work from Sancho, who finds Fred just outside the box.

The United midfielder hits a rasping shot which, while rarely looked like troubling the ‘keeper, was a rare sight of goal for the away side.

Matic warming up

19:04 , Jonathan Gorrie

51:00 - The second-half hasn’t exactly been enthralling.

Still, United don’t need to be in terms of group qualification and, having leaked so many goals of late, perhaps shutting up shop is wise.

Matic now warming up.

Bruno Fernandes warming up

19:01 , Jonathan Gorrie

Van de Beek has been quiet indeed and Carrick has told Bruno Fernandes - dropped from the staring XI - to warm up.

Early corner for Villarreal

19:00 , Jonathan Gorrie

48:00 - Parejo swings it in from the right but De Gea does well to punch it out of danger.

Back underway!

18:57 , Jonathan Gorrie

45:00 - Back underway here.

Surely United have more about them?

Lukaku back for Chelsea

18:56 , Jonathan Gorrie

Romelu Lukaku has been included on the bench for Chelsea’s game against Juventus this evening.

With United traveling to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, that could be very bad news indeed.

Michael Carrick on Bruno Fernandes

18:54 , Jonathan Gorrie

“Not one of the players have been at the best, there’s no hiding from that, but there’s a team to be picked. I love Bruno, I think he’s a fantastic player, a great person, he ran his socks off on Saturday and gave absolutely everything. He’s played a lot of games as well. It’s my job to pick the team, I’ve picked the team and that’s what we’ll go with, but it doesn’t mean Bruno’s not important.”

United’s social media rallying cry

18:52 , Jonathan Gorrie

United’s rather defensive approach

18:49 , Jonathan Gorrie

Star man so far: Victor Lindelof

18:47 , Jonathan Gorrie

Ronaldo’s free-kick horror

18:43 , Jonathan Gorrie

Half-time!

18:42 , Jonathan Gorrie

0-0 in Spain after a pretty lacklustre half from United.

Granted, they only need to keep it tight but - considering the level of attacking talent on show - it’s not been good enough.

CHANCE FOR VILLARREAL!

18:40 , Jonathan Gorrie

45:00 - Wan Bissaka loses the ball and Danjuma is in but cannot direct his effort goalwards.

Risky stuff.

Villarreal waste a free-kick

18:36 , Jonathan Gorrie

43:00 - Parejo takes a free-kick from outside the box after a foul from Van de Beek.

Still, the Spanish international cannot control it well enough and the ball sails over.

Sancho summed up

18:35 , Jonathan Gorrie

41:00 - The early days of Sancho’s United career summed up just now.

Some good touches in a good position just wide of the penalty box but the England man takes too many touches before losing the ball.

Fred down injured

18:30 , Jonathan Gorrie

36:00 - Fred looks to have injured his ankle trying to change direction too quickly.

Matic warming up.

Straight into the wall!

18:28 , Jonathan Gorrie

34:00 - Not as bad as some of his recent attempts but the free-kick hits Capoue in the wall.

Ronaldo over a free-kick

18:27 , Jonathan Gorrie

We usually know how these end...

United exposed

18:26 , Jonathan Gorrie

32:00 - Danjuma finds himself in acres of space in the United box but can’t quite control a lofted ball.

How was he in so much space?!

CHANCE FOR UNITED

18:24 , Jonathan Gorrie

30:00 - Great leap from Ronaldo, who just can’t generate enough power on his header from a Telles corner.

Good work from Jadon Sancho

18:23 , Jonathan Gorrie

29:00 - Good cross from Sancho with Albiol having to clear it before Ronaldo pounces.

One of the first times they’ve pushed forward all game.

In other news...

18:22 , Jonathan Gorrie

CHANCE FOR VILLARREAL!

18:21 , Jonathan Gorrie

28:00 - Great save from De Gea to deny Trigueros from inside the box!

Tactical shift

18:18 , Jonathan Gorrie

25:00 - Ronaldo and Martial have swapped roles with the Portuguese now playing through the middle.

Van de Beek was not his wavelength just now, failing to spot the space Ronaldo had passed into and the ball goes out for a goal-kick.

Ronaldo’s record vs VIllarreal

18:16 , Jonathan Gorrie

14 goals in 20 matches for Real Madrid.

You can see why he’s booed!

Ronaldo fuming!

18:16 , Jonathan Gorrie

23:00 - Ronaldo screams at the referee for not penalising Juan Foyth for what looked like a foul inside the Villarreal half.

Pinot looking sharp

18:14 , Jonathan Gorrie

22:00 - Pinot does look likely down the Villarreal right but has just wasted a cross in the box.

United can’t keep giving him space, however.

Ronaldo booed

18:13 , Jonathan Gorrie

19:00 - Ronaldo, to little surprise, has been roundly booed on his return to Spain.

Michael Carrick: Early indications

18:11 , Jonathan Gorrie

17:00 - United look defensively sound, moving from a 4-3-3 with the ball to a 4-4-2 without.

Still, there’s not much going forward.

Man Utd team huddle

18:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

Not always something you see from United...

United not pressing

18:08 , Jonathan Gorrie

13:00 - Obviously, United can go through with a draw, which might explain why they’re not going all guns blazing.

Still, they aren’t exactly showing much in the way of fire, as one would expect given there’s so much to prove.

United looking nervy

18:05 , Jonathan Gorrie

08:00 - Villarreal might not have had all too many clear cut chances but are forcing United back with a succession of corners.

CHANCE FOR VILLARREAL

18:03 , Jonathan Gorrie

06:00 - Telles gets caught out by Pino, who shoots into the side netting.

Two early chances for the home side.

A big night for this man

18:02 , Jonathan Gorrie

CHANCE FOR VILLARREAL

18:00 , Jonathan Gorrie

05:00 - De Gea saves well from Gomez and the ball kids across the corridor of uncertainty.

The home side look dangerous.

CHANCE FOR UNITED!

17:57 , Jonathan Gorrie

03:00 - McTominay heads into the side netting after a good delivery from Telles.

Vital touch from Albiol to stop Ronaldo from getting a clean header away.

Ronaldo starting on the left

17:56 , Jonathan Gorrie

02:00 - Perhaps surprisingly, Ronaldo is operating on the left with Martial through the middle.

The Frenchman has just won a free-kick near the Villarreal box.

Kick-off

17:54 , Jonathan Gorrie

We’re underway at last after a 5 minute delay.

Must be a joke about communication problems here somewhere...

While we’re waiting

17:52 , Jonathan Gorrie

Kick-off delayed

17:50 , Jonathan Gorrie

Communication issues between the match officials have delayed KO.

The results from our Bruno Fernandes poll

17:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

Watch Paul Scholes rip into Man Utd

17:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

Every word Paul Scholes said on the set-up at Man Utd

17:20 , Jonathan Gorrie

“It’s the same people running the team, the same people given massive responsibility every week to put that team on the pitch,” he told BT Sport.

“Arguably it’s more Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick who’ve been preparing the team. Ole gave them that responsibility, so how that changes now I don’t know.

“Four weeks ago, that Liverpool game. That was the time we knew Ole was going to go, it was plainly obvious. So then the people above had to prepare the next manager and the next batch of staff.

“I’d be almost embarrassed being the staff now, after what happened to Ole. I think they all should have gone. They were part of Ole’s team, Ole trusted them each week to prepare the team - and they’ve let the club and players down as much as Ole has.”

BREAKING: Mauricio Pochettino reacts to Man Utd links

17:17 , Jonathan Gorrie

“I’m happy in Paris. I know the city well both as a player and a coach, I have always lived this type of situation. Things happen and it’s not my responsibility. What I’m going to say if you ask me is that I’m happy in Paris.”Via: @AndiOnrubia

Paul Scholes on Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani

17:15 , Jonathan Gorrie

“Having a 36-year-old and a 34-year-old as your main centre-forwards, you’re never going to win the league.”

Paul Scholes on the Man Utd staff under Ole Gunnar Solskjær

17:07 , Jonathan Gorrie

“If I was in their position, I’d be feeling guilty.”

Paul Scholes on Ole Gunnar Solskjær

17:05 , Jonathan Gorrie

“We thought a long time ago he couldn’t take us to that next level.”

Rio Ferdinand on Man Utd’s managerial change

17:03 , Jonathan Gorrie

“You’d like to see a reaction from the players immediately.”

Bruno Fernandes dropped: Why it’s a big statement

17:01 , Jonathan Gorrie

Next Man Utd manager: Club reportedly hold talks with former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde

16:54 , Jonathan Gorrie

According to The Guardian, United are in talks with former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde over the idea of becoming the club’s interim manager until the end of the season.

Michael Carrick prepares to take his first game as interim Man Utd manager

16:48 , Jonathan Gorrie

Bruno Fernandes dropped

16:48 , Jonathan Gorrie

Well, Carrick has certainly made a statement.

Not only has Donny Van de Beek been called into the starting XI, Bruno Fernandes has been dropped.

Quite the first team selection!

Confirmed Villarreal XI

16:36 , Jonathan Gorrie

Confirmed Man Utd XI: Fernandes dropped, Van de Beek starts

16:34 , Jonathan Gorrie

Tale of United’s Champions League campaign so far: The Ronaldo story

16:20 , Jonathan Gorrie

Fabrizio Romano: Michael Carrick to make some ‘big changes'

16:16 , Jonathan Gorrie

Nemanja Matic from United’s Spanish camp

16:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

Michael Carrick taking Man Utd training before Villarreal clash

16:06 , Jonathan Gorrie

Pep Guardiola on Mauricio Pochettino amid Man Utd manager links

16:04 , Jonathan Gorrie

“I am sure managers are better every year. Every season you have a lot of learnings. I am pretty sure he is an excellent manager,” he said.

“You can be a top manager and not win titles. For the managers who have a chance to win is because you are at top clubs, with good investment and top players. That doesn’t mean managers in the Championship or not at the top of the Premier League aren’t excellent managers.”

Man Utd’s growing belief over Mauricio Pochettino

16:00 , Jonathan Gorrie

‘Both he and United are aware of the mutual interest and Old Trafford’s hierarchy have been alerted to the potential of bringing in a top-class manager sooner than they thought was possible.

Pochettino is believed to be dissatisfied with elements of his role with PSG and has long-harboured a desire to take over at United. He also has the backing of influential figures at Old Trafford, including Sir Alex Ferguson, who is a big admirer.’

You can read more from James Robson here.

Prediction

15:45 , Jonathan Gorrie

We expect a reaction of sorts, but not enough to topple a Villarreal side on a three-match unbeaten run, with former Arsenal boss Emery reaffirming his commitment to the club after links with Newcastle.

Another entertaining draw between these two teams could beckon, with Cristiano Ronaldo no doubt keen to play the role of hero again.

Villarreal 2-2 Manchester United.

Early team news

15:35 , Jonathan Gorrie

United defender Raphael Varane remains sidelined for a number of weeks with a hamstring injury, though captain Harry Maguire is available for European competition amid a one-match domestic suspension for his two yellow cards - which came in the space of just seven minutes - in the Watford debacle.

Paul Pogba is also out for up to three months with a thigh injury suffered with France, while Mason Greenwood is isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.

Luke Shaw is also doubtful with a head injury suffered against Watford, while Edinson Cavani is still dealing with a tendon issue.

How to watch

15:25 , Jonathan Gorrie

TV channel: This evening’s match will be televised live on BT Sport 3, with coverage beginning at 5pm.

Live stream: BT Sport subscribers will also be able to watch the action unfold online via the website or BT Sport app.

You can also follow coverage with Standard Sport’s LIVE match blog.

Welcome

13:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

Welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Manchester United’s trip to Villarreal in the Champions League this evening.

Kick-off at the Estadio de la Cerámica is scheduled for 17.45pm GMT.