Manchester United are on their longest unbeaten streak of the season, undefeated in 2024. On Sunday, they face their biggest challenge of the year thus far against in-form Aston Villa.
The Red Devils have won 4 or their 5 games in 2024, drawing 2-2 against Spurs in January as the only time they were unable to collect a win. They will be hoping to make it 4 wins on the bounce against Unami Emery’s side, who are flying high in the Premier League.
Villa were dumped out of the FA Cup in a 3-1 loss to Chelsea in their last outing, but are putting all their eggs in one basket in the second half of this season as they look to finish in a Champions League spot. They sit in 4th on 46 points, just 5 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Here is the expected lineup vs Aston Villa:
André Onana came back into the team with a clean sheet and will start at the weekend.
Diogo Dalot is on a hot streak of form and is expected to start, especially as Aaron Wan-Bissaka is not fully fit yet.
Harry Maguire returned to the team against West Ham United, and should start this game too.
Raphael Varane replaced the injured Lisandro Martinez in the previous game, and is expected to deputise at LCB for the next two months for the majority of games.
Luke Shaw adds another layer of offence to United down the left and will expect to start again.
Casemiro has settled back into the team and will add stability in front of the back four against a threatening Villa side.
Kobbie Mainoo is the man of the moment at Old Trafford, and should have an interesting midfield test ahead of him alongside the Brazilian.
Alejandro Garnacho has made the right flank his position to lose. Coming off the back of a brace against the Hammers, he is almost certain to start on Sunday.
Bruno Fernandes is expected to captain the side in the Midlands to make up the core of the front four.
Marcus Rashford, having put the dramatics of his personal life aside, was coming off scoring against Wolves before putting in a mediocre performance in the 3-0 win against former United manager David Moyes’ side. However, Ten Hag has found his best front four and the Englishman is a big part of that.
Rasmus Højlund has picked up the pace in the Premier League, scoring 4 in his last 4 league starts. His barren run ended in the 3-2 victory on Boxing Day against Villa, and will be hoping to make it five in a row.