Marcus Rashford and Raphael Varane should return to the Manchester United starting lineup against Aston Villa on Tuesday.
Manchester United will hope to return to winning ways when they welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford for a Boxing Day fixture on Tuesday night. And Erik ten Hag has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Diogo Dalot is available after serving a suspension this past weekend against West Ham United. Meanwhile, Raphael Varane should be available after missing the game against West Ham United because of a virus.
But Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Casemirol, Mason Mount, and Jadon Sancho remain unavailable. Erik ten Hag discussed Varane and Amad Diallo, who has been recovering from a knee injury, during his pre-match press conference.
He said, “I think hopefully Raphael Varane will return. And for the rest, maybe Amad Diallo, we’ll see how far he is. He has trained now for two weeks. They are probably the ones who can maybe return.”
Varane’s return will be a boost for Manchester United, even though Willy Kambwala was impressive on debut against West Ham United this past weekend. Varane and Jonny Evans will be the two centre-backs, with Luke Shaw retaining his spot on the left flank. Meanwhile, Dalot will replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka as the right-back, with Andre Onana taking his usual spot between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, Kobbie Mainoo should retain his spot despite his error against West Ham this past weekend. While the fit-again Christian Eriksen is an option for a place in the double pivot, Mainoo and McTominay will continue their partnership in the middle of the park, with Eriksen and Sofyan Amrabat being options on the bench.
Rasmus Hojlund has also been recovering from the same virus that forced Varane to miss the West Ham game. The Danish international looked knackered on Saturday and might get some rest on Boxing Day.
So, Marcus Rashford will spearhead the Manchester United attack against Aston Villa, with Bruno Fernandes playing behind him. Finally, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony should continue as the two wide attackers, with Hojlund and Facundo Pellistri being options on the bench.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Evans, Shaw; McTominay, Mainoo; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford
