Manchester United and Aston Villa are set to face off in a highly anticipated Premier League match. It’s third against fourth, with the two teams neck-and-neck, separated only by goal difference.
Carrick’s Changes and Villa’s European Grind
Michael Carrick has made two changes to the Manchester United lineup. Amad comes back in for Benjamin Sesko, and Diogo Dalot returns at right-back in place of Noussair Mazraoui. Unai Emery shakes up his midfield, with John McGinn back from the start and Ross Barkley joining him.
McGinn will be the no. 10 and Barkley the 8, with Amadou Onana as the 6. United lost their last game, 2-1 at Newcastle, whereas Villa won theirs, 1-0 at Lille. United have had a ten-day break, while Villa are back to the Thursday-Sunday grind, having played ten more games this season.
The Tale of Two Inside-Lefts Revisited
When this fixture last took place, it was a tale of two inside-lefts. Morgan Rogers scored for Villa, Matheus Cunha replied for United, Rogers did it again and then Cunha missed a sitter. Bruno Fernandes was forced off by a rare injury.
The difference between the sides was Rogers’ wizardry, which put Villa ten points ahead of United. That gap has now been closed by Michael Carrick, who was Rogers’ manager and mentor at Middlesbrough.
Key Players Return
United should be stronger today, with a settled midfield duo of Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo. Villa could have John McGinn, their driving force, making his first start since a knee operation in January.
Here are the confirmed lineups:
- Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.
- Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Bogarde, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Onana, Barkley; Buendia, McGinn, Rogers; Watkins.
Home Advantage vs. European Form
If Carrick’s new-manager bounce has been fading, he’s still got it at home, where he has won four games out of four. But Villa, the only English team to win in Europe this week, could be coming out of their slump. Both camps will have been cheered by Chelsea’s unexpected defeat last night.
The match is too close to call.