Manchester United’s Predicted Starting XI To Face Aston Villa: We Assess Solskjaer’s Options

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3 years ago

Categories: Galleries, Manchester United News, Match Previews

Tags: Aston Villa, fred, Manchester United, Scott McTominay

It wasn’t a great performance against Wolves on Tuesday night, but the three points means Manchester United head into tomorrow’s match versus Aston Villa knowing they can go level on points with Liverpool at the top of the table.

Not many would have thought that was likely considering the Red Devils lost three of their opening six league fixtures but things can change quickly in football.

Villa will be another challenging home game, as Dean Smith’s side have recently gone to Stamford Bridge and picked up a point against Chelsea, so who will United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pick to start the game at Old Trafford?

Press the next page as we predict his starting eleven for the match.

GK – David De Gea

After being rested for the Sheffield United win earlier this month, the Spaniard has returned to his best form in the last few games and he was very good against Wolves.

De Gea made some sharp stops on Tuesday but he’ll be hoping that he doesn’t need to be called into action too much versus Villa.

RB – Aaron Wan-Bissaka

It is not a surprise that United are actively looking to sign another right-back in the January transfer window, with the 23-year-old struggling for form currently.

Wan-Bissaka is not offering anything going forward while the defensive side of his game has also dropped off recently. Perhaps some competition for his place will force him to up his game.

CB – Eric Bailly

United’s best player in the win over Wolves, the Ivorian is almost guaranteed to keep his place in the centre of defence, especially as Victor Lindelof remains a doubt due to a back problem.

Bailly desperately needs a run of games to show Solskjaer he deserves to be starting on a regular basis but he has to stay fit which, considering his injury record, is easier said than done.

CB – Harry Maguire

The United captain was protected by his centre-back partner against Wolves, but his lack of pace could be exposed against Villa who break at lightning speed on the counter-attack.

Ollie Watkins and the in-form Anwar El Ghazi will cause United a lot of problems with their speed, not to mention the threat of their captain Jack Grealish.

LB – Alex Telles

Was surprisingly replaced at half time by Solskjaer during the win over Wolves but the Brazilian’s attacking instincts should mean he is given the nod ahead of Luke Shaw for tomorrow’s game.

Telles has yet to really shine since his move from Porto back in October but his creativity from wide areas is needed considering how ineffective Wan-Bissaka is from the other flank.

CM – Scott McTominay

Nemanja Matic improved as the game went on against Wolves, and the Serbian looked very near his best in the second half on Tuesday evening. However, he may have to make way for McTominay for the Villa clash.

The Scotland international has been in excellent form recently and, after being rested midweek, he will likely be recalled in Matic’s place.

CM – Paul Pogba

The Frenchman grew into the game on Tuesday and became more of a threat as he began to play further forward in the latter stages with the Red Devils looking for the opening goal.

Solskjaer may opt for Fred if he is wary of Villa’s counter-attack but Pogba would be the bolder selection choice.

AM – Bruno Fernandes

The first name on the teamsheet and while he is looking a bit tired at the moment, he still provided the assist for Marcus Rashford’s winner against Wolves.

There could be a temptation to rotate here, with Donny van de Beek coming into the lineup, but Fernandes is so vitally important for United’s attack, it’s difficult to leave him out.

RW – Mason Greenwood

Other than the excellent cross which Fernandes should have scored from, the forward was pretty ineffective in the win on Tuesday.

Solksjaer’s options on the right-hand side are limited so Greenwood may keep his place for now, although it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was named on the bench, with Dan James or even Juan Mata coming in for the Villa clash.

CF – Anthony Martial

Edinson Cavani didn’t look particularly sharp against Wolves so, after being benched for the midweek game, Martial is highly likely to start tomorrow.

The France international may only have one goal in Premier League this season but he did score and provide an assist in the win over Everton in the Carabao Cup last week.

LW – Marcus Rashford

The 23-year-old came up with the last gasp winner on Tuesday evening and, although there is a case for resting him, he will surely be picked to start against Villa.

Rashford’s four goals in his last four Premier League starts means Solskjaer cannot afford to leave him on the bench.