Champions League: Villarreal boss Unai Emery expects reaction from Manchester United after sacking

Villarreal coach Unai Emery has warned his players to expect Manchester United to bite back in the Champions League on Tuesday night following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United head to El Madrigal needing to respond to another dismal Premier League showing, with Saturday’s 4-1 loss away to Watford a fifth defeat in the last seven in the league and costing the popular Solskjaer his job.

‘As a coach, you don’t welcome the news that a colleague has lost his job,’ Emery said. ‘I have a lot of respect for Solskjaer because of his playing and coaching career. I’ve faced Solskjaer several times and above all, I value him as a great person.

Unai Emery expects a reaction from Manchester United when they play his Villarreal side

Manchester United are reeling off the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday morning

‘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.’

The former Arsenal manager, himself strongly linked to a Premier League return with Newcastle before Eddie Howe’s appointment earlier this month, knows United well with Tuesday’s match a third meeting in the last six months.

United came from behind to win 2-1 at Old Trafford in September thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s stoppage-time strike, but Villarreal were the victors when the sides met in the Europa League final in May – prevailing 11-10 in a remarkable penalty shootout in Gdansk.

Despite recent bad form, United could qualify from the Champions League group stage on Tuesday 

Though United will start the match top of Group F, Villarreal are level on points after home and away wins over Young Boys with Atalanta lurking two points behind.

If United win, a place in the knockout stages is theirs, but they could end the night in third place and with work to do against a Young Boys side that beat them in the opening group fixture.

‘They will find an extra motivation as it’s the Champions League,’ Emery added of United. ‘We know they are a strong team.

‘They need to win and I don’t think there will be many changes. Perhaps certain tactical ones will be made, but we must be prepared to play against Cristiano Ronaldo, (Harry) Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, (David) De Gea and all the other great players that United have.

Villarreal’s victory over United in the Europa League cost Solskjaer a shot of lifting a trophy

Cristiano Ronaldo helped United come from behind to beat Villarreal back in September

‘We have an opportunity tomorrow. We just want to compete, show our credentials, and enjoy it.

‘Our last two Champions League results were good but we are facing the favourites.’

Despite their domestic woes, Villarreal midfielder Dani Parejo said United had to be considered among the contenders to lift the Champions League trophy this season, and pointed to their 3-0 win at Tottenham on October 30 as showing they remain a dangerous side.

‘We are playing against a team that can win this title,’ he said

‘When this (coaching change) situation happens, you are on alert. Their players will bring out their best.

‘We expect the best Manchester United of the season, the one that won 3-0 at Tottenham.’