Man United suffered their eighth Premier League defeat of the season losing to West Ham United on Saturday and they could be on their way to another loss because next up, they face a buoyant Aston Villa side.
Villa are currently third on the league table and they are 11 points ahead of Manchester United. United are winless in their previous four matches in all competitions and if they cannot win on Boxing Day then Erik ten Hag’s job will be under massive jeopardy.
Man United are in a complete mess right now as they have failed to score in their previous four games so a loss in midweek and it will be almost impossible for them to finish in the top-four.
Manchester United are undefeated in 34 of their last 38 matches against Aston Villa in all competitions but that record is in serious danger on Boxing Day. Villa will go to Old Trafford as the firm favourites to win and United will have to play out of their skin if they wish to end their unbeaten streak.
Manchester United’s injuries and team news:
Ten Hag is still without nine players and that’s the only sympathy the Man United manager is going to get when he names his first XI in midweek.
The likes of Maguire, Casemiro, Mount and Lindelof won’t return to action before the new year and to make matters worse, Varane missed the Hammers game with an illness.
The French defender is a question mark for the Aston Villa tie as well and if he is not available then 19-year-old Willy Kambwala will pair up with Evans in central defence.
Dalot is going to return from suspension so he is going to replace Wan-Bissaka on the right-hand side.
Kobbie Mainoo’s error led to West Ham’s second goal on Saturday but the youngster is going to hold onto his place alongside McTominay. Amrabat has been a failure so the Man United manager will rely on the academy graduate rather than the loanee.
Amongst all the doom and gloom, the positive news for ETH is that Eriksen is back and the playmaker is expected to play in the No 10 role in midweek. This move will force Fernandes out on the right wing but the Portugal international has played in that position before so it won’t be a problem for him.
Hojlund is still searching for his first league goal but Martial is expected to miss out so the summer signing will hold onto his place however, Antony will move to the bench if Bruno is playing out wide.
Rashford has fallen down the pecking order but Garnacho hasn’t done anything great either so for the Aston Villa game, Marcus Rashford could start ahead of the Argentine.
Man United predicted line up vs Aston Villa:
Predicted Starting XI(4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Luke Shaw, Evans, Kambwala/Varane; McTominay, Mainoo; Fernandes, Eriksen, Rashford; Hojlund.
