Manchester United and Aston Villa meet for the second time in a matter of days as the pair clash in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Villa won 3-1 in Sunday’s Premier League clash at Villa Park, both Unai Emery’s first game in charge since being appointed permanent successor to Steven Gerrard’s and the club’s first home league win over United since a famous 3-1 victory way back in August 1995.
Erik ten Hag has endured a rollercoaster first few months in charge, enjoying important highs but also disappointing lows. Even with changes for both teams to be expected, the Dutchman will be keen to quickly prove that Sunday was a fluke and advance to the next round of the competition.
But in Emery he faces a more than worthy opponent with something to prove.
Current Form (Last Five Games)
Man Utd team news
Antony is still a doubt for United after missing the last three games with a knock, while Jadon Sancho as missed two games because of illness.
Raphael Varane, Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams are definitely ruled out with injury, but Diogo Dalot is eligible despite having a Premier League suspension.
Alejandro Garnacho has started three of the last four games and could get another chance here.
Manchester United Starting XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia; McTominay, Fred; Elanga, Fernandes, Garnacho; Ronaldo
Bench: Dubravka, Dalot, Martinez, Shaw, Van de Beek, Eriksen, Rashford, Martial, Shoretire
Aston Villa team news
Philippe Coutinho and long-term absentee Diego Carlos are missing for this one through injury, with Leon Bailey also a doubt. Jan Bednarek and Leander Dendoncker are ineligible to play after representing Southamptona and Wolves respectively earlier in the competition.
Aston Villa starting XI (4-2-3-1): Olsen; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Young; Kamara, Luiz; Sanson, Ramsey, Watkins; Ings
Bench: Martinez, Chambers, Augustinsson, Digne, McGinn, Nakamba, Buendia, Bailey, Archer
Manchester United have proven several times so far this season that they can bounce back from setbacks, usually following up defeats with a victory – aside from at the very start of the campaign.
There will be different personnel on display here and the fact that Ten Hag has a deeper squad that Emery could ultimately be the difference this time.
Prediction: Man Utd 2-1 Aston Villa
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