Man Utd’s 2017 Europa League winning side compared to current team

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Manchester United await their first final under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and are completely unrecognisable from their last triumph four years ago.

The Red Devils face Villarreal in the Europa League finale in Gdansk, hoping to replicate the success under Jose Mourinho in Stockholm in 2017.

Mourinho's contrasting United side defeated Ajax 2-0 thanks to goals from Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

But the team evolved by Solskjaer is a different beast to the 2017 side, who finished a distant sixth in the Premier League.

Solskjaer's men finished in second place behind only champions Manchester City in the league and victory in Poland would validate their progress under their Norwegian boss.

Daily Star Sport takes a look at how United's lineup has dramatically changed since the 2017 triumph.

New-look defence

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Out with the old, in with the new.

Solskjaer's defensive revamp has been ruthless since he took over as he has made his mark on the United squad.

Energetic Aaron Wan-Bissaka has replaced ageing captain Antonio Valencia who started the final.

Luke Shaw is in the form of his life and is a far more complete package than Matteo Darmian was in the left-back role in Stockholm.

Chris Smalling and Daley Blind were the centre-back pairing against Ajax, but younger duo Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly could start in Gdansk with Harry Maguire an injury doubt.

Sergio Romero was an ever-present in United's 2017 campaign but Solskjaer has had the luxury of fielding two quality goalkeepers this season and David de Gea is likely to start against Villarreal.

Fernandes for Fellaini

United's transformation since Solskjaer took charge is best summed up by the occupant of the number 10 position.

Marouane Fellaini was the key disturber in Mourinho's more pragmatic approach and played an important role in the 2017 success, but Bruno Fernandes is now Old Trafford's main man.

The Portuguese hero oozes class with his silky style and his ambition on the ball shows the identity Solskjaer wants in his team.

Pogba is the only midfield survivor from four years ago likely to start, with Ander Herrera and goalscorer Mkhitaryan both no longer at the club.

Juan Mata started on the right in Sweden but the Spanish veteran is now a fringe player under Solskjaer and is unlikely to play any part in Gdansk.

Exciting attack

Marcus Rashford led the line as a raw youngster for the Red Devils in Stockholm but he has very much developed since then.

The England international will almost certainly start on the flanks as the only other survivor in Solskjaer's side alongside Pogba from four years ago.

Edinson Cavani is already a cult-hero at United and could enhance his growing status with a decisive goal in Poland.

Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial were on the bench four years ago, but Solskjaer has the likes of teenage starlet Mason Greenwood and former Ajax finalist Donny van de Beek to turn to this time round.

READ MORE: Wayne Rooney and son Kai fly out to Poland for Man Utd’s Europa League final

READ MORE: Beating Villarreal in Europa League final is worth over £7million to Man Utd

  • Europa League
  • Jose Mourinho
  • Manchester United FC
  • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

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