David de Gea
Superb save from Arnaut Danjuma and made four stops in the first-half alone. His defenders let him down again for Paco Alcacer's goal. 8
Diogo Dalot
Rinsed by Danjuma with alarming ease on a chastening night and culpable for the opening goal. He is unlikely to oust Aaron Wan-Bissaka. 3
Victor Lindelof
A downgrade on Harry Maguire, who has had his own poor start to the season. Loose for most of the night and targeted. 4
Raphael Varane
Erred when he misread a through ball and Paco Alcacer had a free hit. Went walkabout for the goal but easily the steadiest of United's back four. 6
Alex Telles
Must be grateful Villarreal targeted United's right-hand side but Telles was suspect in most duels. Atoned with a spectacular first United goal. Important block late on. 6
Scott McTominay
Did not make much of a difference without Fred next to Paul Pogba. Kept on over Pogba but there was not much between them. 5
Paul Pogba
Attempted incisive passes and one almost resulted in an own goal. Otherwise, he did not gel with McTominay in the two. 5
Mason Greenwood
Struggled at times and never truly got going. Drew a save from Geronimo Rulli at 1-1 and crossed magnificently for Edinson Cavani to miss. 6
Bruno Fernandes
Aggressive but got easily wound up too often. Fine vision to pick out Telles from the free-kick United equalised from. 6
Jadon Sancho
Had some bright moments in the first-half but another blunt performance and Sancho was substituted again. 5
Cristiano Ronaldo
Lacked service and was immobile at times when United had possession in the Villarreal half. Then he won it in Fergie time. 7
Subs
Nemanja Matic
Brought balance. 6
Edinson Cavani
Missed a sitter but kept going and was key in goal. 6
Jesse Lingard
Involved in goal and helped win the game. 7
Fred
Key cross at the death. 6
Manager - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Picked a purposeful enough side but the balance did not work and failure to address it at half-time cost United a goal. Did not make a change until the 74th minute and formation seemed to stay the same but substitutes had big impact. 6
