MX23RW : Thursday, January 7 05:09:43| >> :120:16499:16499:

How Manchester United could line up against Aston Villa

Sports Mole looks at how Manchester United could line up for the Premier League showdown with Aston Villa on New Year's Day.

Manchester United play host to Aston Villa on New Year's Day with the opportunity to strengthen their bid for top spot in the Premier League standings.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has witnessed his side put together a nine-match unbeaten streak in the top flight, their latest victory coming against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday evening.

However, with United playing their third game in the space of a week, Solskjaer will almost certainly make changes to his starting XI for the visit of a team who sit four points adrift of his side in the table.

Here, Sports Mole predicts how United could line up for the showdown at Old Trafford on Friday evening.



MNUXI VS. AST

Out: Phil Jones (knee), Marcos Rojo (calf)
Doubtful: Victor Lindelof (back)

> Click here for Man United's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Having been introduced as a half-time substitute against Wolves, Luke Shaw is likely to take the place of Alex Telles at left-back.

The other changes to the team should come further forward, with Fred and Scott McTominay expected to get the nod over Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba.

Anthony Martial is in line to come in for Edinson Cavani, although Mason Greenwood may retain his spot ahead of Daniel James, having been withdrawn after 64 minutes in midweek.

Bruno Fernandes will continue his run of appearances in the number-10 role, leaving Donny van de Beek to remain among the replacements.

Providing that he suffers no ill-effects from making two starts in quick succession, Eric Bailly should continue alongside Harry Maguire in the middle of the defence.

With Axel Tuanzebe able to provide cover on the substitutes' bench, that would allow Victor Lindelof to rest with a lingering back problem.


Video prediction

Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:


ID:428448:cQx

How you voted: Man Utd vs Aston Villa

Manchester United
64.6%
Draw
19.4%
Aston Villa
16.0%
319
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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks dejected after seeing his side knocked out of the Champions League on December 8, 2020
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Todays Game Header Right
Primeira Liga
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1796237211633
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd1610333324933
3Leicester CityLeicester17102531211032
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs1685329151429
5Manchester CityMan City1585224131129
6Southampton178542619729
7Everton169252620629
8Aston Villa1582529161326
9Chelsea1775532211126
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham177552421326
11Arsenal177282019123
12Leeds UnitedLeeds177283033-323
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves176471824-622
14Crystal Palace176472229-722
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle165471826-819
16Burnley15447920-1116
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton172872128-714
18Fulham152581323-1011
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom1715111139-288
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd170215829-212

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