Cristiano Ronaldo is set to return while Harry Maguire should also come back into the side when Manchester United take on Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Manchester United will be aiming to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they lock horns with Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa this Saturday at Villa Park.
Leading up to the game, Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick has been boosted by the return of Harry Maguire, Cristiano Ronaldo, Phil Jones and Jadon Sancho, all of whom missed the FA Cup tie against the same opposition earlier in the week. However, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay miss out due to suspension while Paul Pogba is out injured. Eric Bailly, meanwhile, is away on international duty.
Speaking about the returning players in his pre-match presser, Rangnick said, “I think they will be available. They only trained yesterday for the first time. Cristiano yesterday, Harry the day before yesterday. We have to wait for the final session this afternoon but as it seems right now they should be available for tomorrow [Saturday].”
With Maguire back, he should slot in at the heart of the Manchester United defence alongside Raphael Varane. The Red Devils’ skipper should be replacing Victor Lindelof, who had a disappointing game in the FA Cup. With Shaw ruled out, Alex Telles slots in at left-back while Aaron Wan-Bissaka should come in for Diogo Dalot at right-back. David de Gea will be the man in goal for the visitors on Saturday.
McTominay, who scored the only goal of the game in the cup tie between the two teams, will be a big miss for Manchester United. His spot in the lineup will likely be taken up by Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek, who will form the double pivot in the middle of the park alongside Fred.
As usual, Bruno Fernandes will be the creative hub for Manchester United, reprising the No. 10 role. Marcus Rashford, who was disappointing in the game against Villa in the FA Cup, should drop out of the starting XI. He should be replaced by returning Sancho, who will look to make an impression after a largely quiet first half of the season.
The England international should slot in on the left flank while Mason Greenwood should hold on to his spot on the right. Spearheading the attack for Manchester United should be star striker and leading goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese international has recovered from his injury and should lead the line, with Edinson Cavani acting as cover from the bench.
Manchester United Predicted XI: de Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Telles, van de Beek, Fred, Greenwood, Fernandes, Sancho, Ronaldo
