Manchester United players barely have any time to process the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer because they are straight back in action against Villarreal in a crucial Champions League clash on Tuesday night.

Victory would guarantee United progress to the last 16 as Villarreal could no longer finish above them based on head-to-head record, but defeat would take it out of their hands on matchday six. A draw is also not an ideal result as it leaves too much still at stake in the final game.

Michael Carrick will take charge for this one as the United hierarchy go through the process of appointing a proper successor to Solskjaer.

This is everything you need to know about the game…

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When is kick off? Tuesday 23 November, 17:45 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? El Madrigal
TV channel/live stream? BT Sport 3
Highlights? BT Sport YouTube Channel
Referee? Felix Brych (GER)
VAR? Marco Fritz (GER)

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Striker Gerard Moreno, who scored in the Europa League final in May, is out with a hamstring injury, with Boulaye Dia to continue deputising up front.

Ex-Spurs right-back Serge Aurier is ineligible in this competition as he signed after the squad deadline had already been submitted.

Villarreal predicted lineup (4-3-3): Rulli; Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Pedraza; Parejo, Capoue, Coquelin; Pino, Dia, Danjuma

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Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane remain sidelined with injury, while Mason Greenwood won’t be involved because of his positive COVID-19 test at the end of last week.

Edinson Cavani is still a doubt over fitness concerns, while Luke Shaw can also be considered a doubt because of another head injury suffered against Watford. Harry Maguire is available as his red card in that game only means a domestic suspension.

Donny van de Beek could get a rare chance to start after being the sole outfield United player to impress against Watford. The same is true of Jesse Lingard, who is hoping that Solskjaer’s exit could provide him with the opportunity he has been waiting for.

Read Man Utd’s predicted lineup here.

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The reverse fixture at Old Trafford earlier in the season was the sixth meeting between Manchester United and Villarreal, but the first one to have produced a winner in 90 or 120 minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo got the last-minute goal on that occasion.

The 2021 Europa League final in May, which Villarreal won after edging an epic penalty shootout, was the first time a game between these two had even featured a goal as back-to-back Champions League group games in 2005/06 and 2008/09 had all finished 0-0.

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The big question here is how will Manchester United respond to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being sacked? The reality is not a lot else has changed – Michael Carrick has been promoted from assistant coach to caretaker manager and the rest of the staff are still the same.

Fans can only hope the dismissal of the manager has jolted the players into life. Sooner or later, some of them will be playing for their future at the club and they have to start performing.

Prediction: Villarreal 1-1 Man Utd

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