Manchester United play Aston Villa for the second time in five days on Thursday evening, this time in the EFL Cup third round at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils were beaten 3-1 by Aston Villa at Villa Park in the Premier League on Sunday in what was Unai Emery’s first game in charge of the Midlands club. The defeat at Villa ended Man United’s nine-game unbeaten run across all competitions.
Erik ten Hag will be eager for a response from his boys as he looks to make it to the next round of the EFL Cup and sign off at the Theatre of Dreams on a high note in what is the club’s last home fixture before the World Cup hiatus.
Manchester United Team News
Jadon Sancho, Antony and Bruno Fernandes were all missing for Sunday’s match at Villa Park, but the latter will return to the squad after serving his one-match ban in the Premier League. Sancho and Antony remain doubtful ahead of Villa’s visit to Old Trafford.
Raphael Varane has started his rehab on a hamstring injury but is ruled out for Man United’s next two games before the World Cup break, but Anthony Martial returned to the bench on Sunday and enjoyed 25 minutes of action against Villa after recovering from a hip injury.
Predicted Man United Lineup vs Aston Villa (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Erik ten Hag may opt to rotate his squad and keep his important players fresh for the trip to Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday. That being said, Martin Dubravka could be handed a rare start in goal against Aston Villa in the Man United lineup.
If selected, Dubravka, who joined United on loan from Newcastle United in the summer, will look to grab the opportunity with both hands.
Defence
Diogo Dalot is suspended against Fulham after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season at Villa, so Ten Hag will stick with the Portuguese at right-back in the Man United lineup.
Tyrell Malacia should get the nod at left-back at the expense of Luke Shaw, while Harry Maguire is likely to replace Victor Lindelof in central defence. Lisandro Martinez remains a guaranteed starter in United’s backline.
Having conceded thrice to the same opposition on Sunday, the Red Devils’ backline will need to be watchful throughout the 90 minutes this time out.
Midfield
Bruno Fernandes is available again after serving his one-game suspension, and the Portuguese is likely to feature in the Man United lineup having been well-rested.
Fernandes will join Casemiro and Fred in Man United’s engine room, with Christian Eriksen getting a much-needed rest.
Donny Van de Beek, after a poor performance on Sunday, will drop out of the starting XI and join Scott McTominay on the bench.
Attack
Anthony Martial returning from a hip problem and playing more than 25 minutes against Villa is a boost for the Red Devils, but Ten Hag is unlikely to risk the Frenchman from the start. This might see Cristiano Ronaldo continuing to spearhead the United attack, with Marcus Rashford occupying one of the wide positions in the Man United lineup.
With Sancho and Antony doubtful, the tussle for the final spot in attack will be between Anthony Elanga and Alejandro Garnacho. Going by Ten Hag’s recent selection, Garnacho may get the nod ahead of Elanga in the Man United lineup.
