Manchester United will be looking to book a place in the fourth round of the League Cup when they take on Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
The Reds go into the game on the back of a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League last weekend and Ten Hag will no doubt be looking to make amends when they face the Midlands side this time round.
The Dutchman is widely expected to make a host of changes to his starting eleven to face Villa on Thursday with Anthony Elanga, Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial all expected to start.
The League Cup may not necessarily be top of every Reds fan wish list this season, but with the title looking out of reach and going all the way in Europe looking a long shot, the League Cup remains arguably United’s best chance of winning some silverware this season.
Villa look to have turned a corner under new head coach Unai Emery. We need no reminding of the 3-1 defeat suffered at Villa Park on Sunday and in order for United to progress we undoubtedly must be at or very best.
Had this fixture been played a month ago you would suspect United would have walked to a comfortable victory, but with Emery now in the dugout at Villa this could prove to be a real tough test for United even with a much expected changed Villa side.
It wont be easy but I still expect United to beat Aston Villa and progress to the next round albeit it will be close.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Aston Villa
