Bruno Fernandes is suspended, while Harry Maguire and Fred will return when Manchester United and Aston Villa face off at Villa Park on Sunday.
Manchester United will aim to continue the bright run of form when they lock horns with Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon. And Erik ten Hag will have a new roster issue to deal with ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Bruno Fernandes is the latest absentee for Manchester United. The Portuguese international will complete a one-match suspension on Sunday after picking up his fifth booking last week against West Ham United. Meanwhile, ten Hag is still sweating over the fitness of Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, and Antony.
Raphael Varane, Brandon Williams, and Axel Tuanzebe are the other absentees for Manchester United. Erik ten Hag did not reveal much when the media asked him about the availability of Sancho, Martial, and Antony during his pre-match press conference.
“It’s difficult to say in this moment. I have to talk with the medical and the performance team as they did a programme in Manchester. I have to hear how their progress was and if they can be available for Sunday’s match.”
Judging by ten Hag’s comments, it is unlikely that any of Sancho, Martial, and Antony will start against Aston Villa. So Anthony Elanga will get a chance to impress from the right flank, with Marcus Rashford returning on the left wing. Cristiano Ronaldo will spearhead the Manchester United attack.
Christian Eriksen has usually played as a box-to-box midfielder this season. But in the absence of Bruno Fernandes, the Danish playmaker will fill in by reprising the no. 10 role. Fred should take up the vacated berth in the double pivot, starting alongside Casemiro in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, ten Hag spoke about the central defensive dynamics, suggesting he could pick anyone between Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire to partner with Lisandro Martinez. The Dutch tactician said, “I have to think about that. I have to see because Aston Villa is going to be a difficult one as we don’t know.”
“They have a new manager and I have to have a look and analyse from that game, from that team and then we have a choice. But Licha [Martinez] and Victor played really well together over some more games. But I also think Licha and Harry last Sunday against West Ham United kept a clean sheet and also did really well, so that’s a choice we have to make. When I choose one, it is not one thing against the other.”
Maguire could come in for Lindelof at the heart of the Manchester United defence, pairing up with Martinez. Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw should continue as the two full-backs, with David de Gea keeping his spot between the sticks.
Predicted Manchester United XI: de Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Elanga, Eriksen, Rashford; Ronaldo