It is more than three years since Manchester United endured defeat at Villa Park, after Erik ten Hag’s men suffered a 3-1 loss against Unai Emery’s side.
With aspirations of climbing into the Champions League places, Ruben Amorim will hope his depleted squad can muster another favourable outcome against Aston Villa on Sunday evening.
Emery is enjoying the fruits of a nine-game win streak in all competitions, with his high-flying outfit sitting third in the Premier League and three points off current leaders Arsenal.
But despite much of the agenda-driven media writing off United’s prospects, the Reds are unbeaten in four and growing in confidence after a solitary defeat in 10 since the turn of October.
It goes without saying that AFCON has created a selection dilemma for the 20-time English champions, and that is a significant attacking hurdle to leap.
Nonetheless, with several would-be fringe players vying for increased minutes, there are ample reasons for the travelling contingent to hold hope.
Manchester United Team News
Amorim’s lineup will take an altogether different shape in Birmingham, without the services of key individuals, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad, and Noussair Mazraoui.
The trio, often the catalyst for transitional success, will compete for international honours in Morocco, while the likes of Diogo Dalot and Mason Mount will attempt to recreate their attacking intent on the flank.
Casemiro will also be unavailable for selection due to suspension after collecting his latest yellow card during a pulsating 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on Monday evening.
Additionally, both Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire will once more watch on from the sidelines as the pair continues rehabilitation following separate injury setbacks.
“I think everyone is well,” Amorim stated. “We have one more training [session], but today, the rest of the lads are ready to go. I’m saying that nobody will recover, nobody is out. Just the guys that you already know.”
Kobbie Mainoo impressed with a promising 30-minute cameo on Monday, and although his brother made headlines with a ‘free Kobbie Mainoo’ t-shirt, Ruben was quick to praise the midfielder’s efforts.
However, the Portuguese remained tight-lipped about further game time for the 20-year-old, stating, “If he is going to play, he is going to play. “If he is not going to play, he’s not going to play.”
Despite a well-publicised fall from grace following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, the Reds have maintained an extremely strong record against Villa.
To put that into perspective, the Premier League rivals have met 20 times in all competitions since December 2013, with United suffering defeat just twice (W14, D4, L2).
Although form can often go out the window during domestic outings, the majority of the travelling squad will have played some part throughout the previous two campaigns, winning three and drawing one.
Furthermore, with attacking options in Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha and Mount fit and firing, you would be foolish to rule the travelling group out.
Predicted Manchester United starting XI: (3-4-2-1): Lammens; Heaven, Martinez, Yoro; Dalot, Bruno, Ugarte, Shaw; Mount, Cunha; Sesko.
How do you feel ahead of our latest trip to Villa Park? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or across our socials.
(Photo by operations@newsimages.co.uk/News Images via depositphotos.com).
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