MADRID: Unai Emery will add to his Europa League record if Villarreal beat Manchester United early on Thursday morning but the success could also turn his first season at the club into something great.

Villarreal had just finished fifth in La Liga when they appointed Emery as coach last summer with the Spaniard set to be rewarded if he leads the club to a title win and qualify for the Champions League.

He could get both in Gdansk if a surprise is displayed against United who not only give Villarreal their main trophy but also a place into next season’s top European rivals.

“We respect United but we feel capable of winning the trophy,” Emery said last week. “We will play with confidence as we have shown throughout the tournament.”

The impact of the defeat was also huge as Villarreal not only ended the season without any success but failed to secure a place in the Europa League next season.

Defeat to Real Madrid last Saturday meant Emery’s side ended the season seventh in La Liga, two behind where they finished last season and only qualified for UEFA’s new Europa Conference League.

However there is no undue pressure for Emery as it depends on the meeting between Villarreal and United, their first tournament in Europe since the Intertoto Cup in 2004.

“Villarreal have reached the Europa League semi -finals three times before so if we don’t qualify for the final it will be difficult for us,” said the club’s former midfielder Marcos Senna, who won the Intertoto Cup 17 years ago.

“Manchester United are the team of choice because of their history and big spending. We’re a little behind but if we play well, I think they can do a surprise.”