Pressure on Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is increasing after the Red Devils suffered another defeat to West Ham at the weekend.
Injuries have certainly played their part in the club’s recent struggles but the busy festive schedule means there won’t be much time to recover as they face Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
Andre Onana will keep his place in goal, but there are expected to be a couple of changes in the backline. Diogo Dalot has served his one-match suspension for his sending-off against Liverpool, and he could come back into the starting lineup ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Luke Shaw is set to stay at left-back, but Willy Kambwala is likely to make way if Raphael Varane can prove his fitness after illness. The Frenchman could partner Jonny Evans in the centre of defence.
There was a lack of balance in the middle of the park at the London Stadium and, despite his recent good performances, Scott McTominay could be benched in favour of Sofyan Amrabat. The fit-again Christian Eriksen may also start, with the Dane offering a bit more experience than Kobbie Mainoo. Captain Bruno Fernandes will be the final player in the midfield three.
United’s lack of goals may lead to ten Hag turning back to Marcus Rashford, despite his recent poor form. The England international could replace Alejandro Garnacho on the left wing, with Antony on the right flank and Rasmus Hojlund leading the line. The striker is clearly struggling at the moment but, with Anthony Martial still sidelined, there aren’t too many other options.
Manchester United’s Predicted XI to play Aston Villa
Onana, Dalot, Varane, Evans, Shaw, Eriksen, Fernandes, Amrabat, Antony, Hojlund, Rashford
