Manchester United face another tough test in the Premier League this weekend when welcoming Aston Villa to Old Trafford.
After losing a two-goal lead against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night, United have an immediate opportunity to respond on Sunday afternoon by returning to winning ways. It will be far from straightforward again though, as only one place and six points separate Erik ten Hag's team from Unai Emery's side heading into the encounter, albeit the visitors have played two matches more than United.
Manchester City are the only team currently boasting better form than Villa, with United's opponents unbeaten in ten, having won eight of those matches to rocket up the Premier League table this year. Ten Hag has plenty of food for thought amid United's contrasting form. Here is how they could line up this weekend.
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Goalkeeper - David de Gea
While question marks remain about the goalkeeper's future, De Gea has been ever-present in the Premier League this season. There is no immediate reason for that to change this weekend. A pair of big saves against Spurs reinforced the 32-year-old's importance to the team at the moment behind a makeshift back four.
Defenders - Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot
The United defence fell apart after Ten Hag surprisingly substituted Wan-Bissaka, so the right-back seems set to stay in the side, at least while Shaw remains in central defence. There is no real reason to disrupt the partnership in the middle yet, with Harry Maguire's availability questionable after missing the midweek match. Tyrell Malacia flattered to deceive after coming on against Spurs, so Dalot should stay on the left of defence.
Midfielders - Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen
After proving himself fit enough to play the full 90 minutes on Thursday night despite concerns coming into the game about an injury issue, Fernandes seems set to stay in the side as part of Ten Hag's preferred midfield three. Eriksen's exit against his former employers saw the United midfield lacking in midweek, meaning the Denmark international should again start alongside Casemiro, anchoring the trio.
Forwards- Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Antony
Two of the front three scored United's goals in north London, with Sancho, in particular, performing well, which should ensure another start this weekend. Rashford remains centrally after adding another strike to this season's impressive tally. Antony completes the attack on the back in the hope of having another bright beginning, as was the case against Spurs, rather than a continuation of the second-half showing.
Have a go at selecting Sunday's United XI and compare it to other fans' choices below:
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