Back to the Manchester United Newsfeed

Villarreal's Francis Coquelin insists last season's Europa League triumph against Manchester United was 'REVENGE' against Sir Alex Ferguson - after Scot wrote that ex-Arsenal midfielder was 'completely out of his depth' in 8-2 thrashing back in 2011

Villarreal's Francis Coquelin says his side's Europa League triumph against Manchester United last year was 'revenge' against Sir Alex Ferguson after comments the Red Devils legend made in his autobiography.

Former Arsenal midfielder Coquelin made his Premier League debut in the infamous 8-2 United win in August 2011 on a humiliating day for Arsene Wenger's Gunners.

Ferguson, who retired in 2013, later labelled Coquelin 'completely out of his depth' at Old Trafford that day, adding that he 'had hardly heard of him and he barely played again.'

Villarreal's Francis Coquelin says his side's Europa League triumph against Manchester United last year was 'revenge' against Sir Alex Ferguso (pic)
Coquelin was part of the Villarreal side which beat United last year

Villarreal's Francis Coquelin (right) says his side's Europa League triumph against Manchester United last year was 'revenge' against Sir Alex Ferguson (left)

Former Arsenal midfielder Coquelin made his league debut in the infamous 8-2 United win

Yet Coquelin, who left the Gunners in 2018 and joined Villarreal in 2020 after two years at Valencia, admitted that having seen Ferguson's comments, last year's triumph over Man United was extra sweet.