Game number 33 and Manchester United will be welcoming the struggling Aston Villa side at Old Trafford on this Saturday.
United have the upper hand in the game as they have the home advantage and also, their senior players have returned to the squad. They will be looking to close down the 4 points deficit between them and their city rivals Manchester City.
Comparing both the teams according to their last 6 matches, Manchester United has won 4 and have lost 2. Furthermore, Aston Villa have lost all 6 games. And in their head to head games, United have won 9 out of their 10 games and have drawn just 1.
Here is the predicted lineup of Manchester United that could face Aston Villa at Old Trafford-
Goalkeeper: David De Gea-
The only Manchester United player who has given everything this season to keep his side in the top 4 race. Did a great job in his last game (FA cup; against West Ham) where he denied many goal scoring chances created by the Hammers. He needs to watch out for Rudy Gestede this game.
Defenders: Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Fosu-Mensah-
As Rojo is still struggling to settle down at the club, Van Gaal might deploy Valencia at right and Mensah at left just as he did in the latter half of the game against the Hammers. Though Jones played a game with club’s U-21 side and might return to the senior side, the manager will surely play the pair i.e Smalling and Blind at the center back as they have started to produce a great chemistry between them.
Midfield: Mata, Carrick, Schneiderlin, Rooney, Martial-
Mata might return in the wings and the pair (Carrick-Schneiderlin) might command the midfield from the back where Schneiderlin shall play a free role in the center of the park and Carrick, as a deep-lying midfielder. Martial for sure will start the game in the left flank for United and the skipper Wayne Rooney might return in the starting 11 and play the game at his usual number 10 position.
Striker: Marcus Rashford-
The teenage sensation is getting better every time he plays. Scored in his Europa league’s debut, scored in his league debut, scored in his derby debut and recently scored his first goal outside Manchester and my god, that was a beauty. Didn’t had any impact against Tottenham but, destroyed West Ham’s chances to qualify for the next round in the cup.