Manchester United will be bidding to bounce back to winning ways in the Premier League on Boxing Day when Unai Emery’s Aston Villa visit Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag’s men were beaten 2-0 by West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday, leaving them eighth in the table—eight points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. This means the Red Devils have now registered just one win in their last five Premier League games and have now failed to score in four straight games for the first since autumn 1992.
Ten Hag will expect his players to step up and produce a strong performance against a high-flying Aston Villa side, who are third in the standings and head to Manchester off the back of a frustrating 1-1 draw with Sheffield United.
Manchester United Team News
Ten Hag is hopeful that Raphael Varane will return for the Boxing Day encounter against Aston Villa after missing the defeat to West Ham due to illness. Amad Diallo is also under consideration for his first inclusion in a Man United matchday squad this season, having recovered from a knee injury sustained during pre-season in July.
Anthony Martial is still ill and misses out, but Diogo Dalot returns from a one-game suspension to boost Ten Hag’s options at full-back.
Goalkeeper
Man United are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation again, with Andre Onana retaining his place in between the sticks. The Cameroonian will have to be at his best to keep a clean sheet against an in-form Aston Villa side.
Defence
Diogo Dalot is available for selection after serving his one-game ban, and he should walk straight into the Man United lineup. The Portuguese will replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back.
Raphael Varane should return as well, provided he has recovered from illness. Young debutant Willy Kambwala did well against West Ham but Varane is a certainty to start if available.
Luke Shaw keeps his place at left-back, while Jonny Evans is likely to partner Varane in central defence in the Man United lineup.
Midfield
Ten Hag could take Kobbie Mainoo out of the firing line after his error that led to Mohammed Kudus’ goal and hand Sofyan Amrabat a start. If Amrabat starts, he could form the double pivot with Scott McTominay at the heart of Man United’s midfield. The duo have to be very aggressive and tenacious in and out of possession against a strong Villa midfield.
Bruno Fernandes should act as the creative glue for the hosts, hoping to make a difference in the final third. Christian Eriksen returned from injury last weekend and played five minutes, so he could get some game time on Tuesday evening.
Attack
Rasmus Hojlund was substituted early in the second half against West Ham but he is expected to continue leading the attack in the Man United lineup. Marcus Rashford could come in for Alejandro Garnacho on the left flank to bring some freshness and dynamism to the attack, with Antony hoping to make a difference from the opposite wing.
Facundo Pellistri, Hannibal Mejbri and Garnacho will hope to make a difference off the bench if called upon.
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