In many ways, Manchester United finished 2020 in a style which epitomised their year – far from at their best, but finding a way to pull themselves back from the brink just when it mattered with a late 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Despite the disappointment of their Champions League group stage exit and a torrid start to the Premier League season, the Red Devils head into the New Year well poised as they sit just three points behind league-leaders Liverpool with a game in hand.
That’s thanks to an unbeaten run of nine league games stretching back to 7 November. United’s impressive record will be tested against an Aston Villa side who drew 1-1 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last time out and haven’t lost any of their last five league games.
In fact, so impressive have Dean Smith’s men been that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to field as strong a line-up as possible, even with one eye on next week’s EFL Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
Nevertheless, Solskjaer will be forced to rotate with United preparing for their second game in four days. The Norwegian hailed the competition within his squad, warning his players they will not be able to “fake” their way into United’s starting XI.
“I think we have competition for places, which means you cannot go around and think you can fake your way through being part of this team,” he said.
“You only deserve to be in a team that you contribute in… And you’ve got winners like Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic, who don’t play every single game, but they’re so influential in the build-up to games, and even during games when they’re not playing.”
Team news
The most high-profile absentee is Edinson Cavani, who will sit out the first game of his three-match suspension following his FA charge over his offensive Instagram post. Anthony Martial should start in his place, but the Frenchman has only scored three goals in his 11 league appearances in the 2020-21 campaign.
Villa’s defence will be bolstered too by the return of Tyrone Mings from suspension.
As for United, Eric Bailly impressed against Wolves in another reminder of his capabilities if he can stay fit. The centre-back is expected to partner Harry Maguire again, with Victor Lindelof still struggling with the chronic back problem that forced him off in the 2-2 draw with Leicester City on Boxing Day. Long-term absentees Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones are also out.
Solskjaer’s other changes are likely to be through choice, with Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay and Fred available to come in for Alex Telles, Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.
Daniel James will be contesting Mason Greenwood for a spot on the right. The latter has been struggling for form and hasn’t scored since the 3-1 win over West Ham on 5 December.
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