There is a lot on the line this weekend when Manchester United visit Aston Villa in the Premier League.
The Reds need three points after a slow start to the season and Erik ten Hag is walking a tightrope to keep his job after Sir Jim Ratcliffe refused to back him when asked about the manager’s situation in a recent interview.
Aston Villa go into the game after beating Bayern Munich in the Champions League, so both teams come into the game with completely contrasting situations at play.
Ten Hag’s side have won just six in 20 Premier League matches. That record must change if he is to keep his job.
Manchester United predicted XI vs Aston Villa
Andre Onana has shown better form this season, despite United struggling to get results. The Cameroon international will start between the sticks.
Ten Hag will stick with his favourite back four, although they let him down on Thursday night by conceding three goals against Porto.
There are question marks over Kobbie Mainoo’s fitness after he withdrew from the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham with a knock that forced him out of the Porto tie. He trained on Friday and should feature at some point against Villa. However, we’re going to opt for more protection by starting Casemiro alongside Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes is available after United successfully appealed his three-match domestic ban due to a wrongful dismissal against Tottenham.
The front three will consist of Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford. Hojlund got back on the scoresheet against Porto and will be hungry to add to his tally.
Predicted Manchester United XI vs Aston Villa: Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Ugare, Casemiro, Fernandes; Garnacho, Hojlund, Rashford.
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