Manchester United will be aiming to spoil Unai Emery's first game as Aston Villa head coach when they travel to Villa Park on Sunday afternoon in pursuit of a fourth successive win.
The Reds, who blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 on their last visit to Villa Park, will be looking to build on their recent run of good form and stretch their unbeaten run in all competitions to ten matches. Thursday night's narrow 1-0 win over Real Sociedad in the Europa League maintained their recent run of improvement, even if they missed out on topping Group E.
The clash with Villa, which will mark the first of two meetings between the clubs in the space of just five days, will see United head into the contest as overwhelming favourites, such is the gap currently between them in the table. The Reds are just one point shy of the top-four while Villa are hovering anxiously just above the relegation zone.
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However, Villa promise to offer a sterner test than they might have done in recent weeks, as new head coach Emery will take charge of them for the first time on Sunday. He was appointed as Steven Gerrard's successor last month.
United, though, will offer a difficult challenge themselves, such is the current run of form they find themselves on. Ahead of the trip to the Midlands, MEN Sport has taken a close look at all of the very latest United injury news.
Raphael Varane
The centre-back will remain sidelined for the trip to Villa as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. He was forced off during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea two weeks ago and will not play for United this side of the World Cup.
There is a chance that he could represent Qatar in France, although that depends on the development of his recovery. United have kept three clean sheets in their last three matches without him.
Speaking last week, manager Erik ten Hag said: "I think so (he will be fit for the World Cup), but the prognosis, we have to wait and see how it develops, how his rehab develops."
Jadon Sancho
Sancho missed the recent clashes with West Ham United and Sociedad through illness and it remains to be seen if he could creep back into Ten Hag's thoughts for the clash with Villa. The England international, who has scored three goals so far this term, has struggled for form of late, meaning he might not be as rushed into making a return as he normally would be.
United are likely to make a late call on him.
Anthony Martial
The Frenchman has missed United's last seven matches after suffering a back injury in his first start of the season against Everton last month. He was forced off with just under half an hour played, putting a fresh dent in his hopes of becoming a regular at Old Trafford once again.
Martial, who has shown flashes of promise when fit this season, returned to first-team training earlier this week, meaning he is edging closer towards a return from his latest lay-off. However, just like with the situation concerning Sancho, it remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to face Villa.
Antony
Antony, like Sancho, has missed United's last two matches. He has been suffering from a leg injury, meaning he and Sancho's absences could not have happened at a worse time.
United have been left short on attacking options, meaning the likes of Anthony Elanga and Alejandro Garnacho have deputised. It remains to be seen if the Brazilian will be declared fit for the clash with Villa.
Speaking about Sancho, Martial and Antony, Ten Hag said: "It's difficult to say in this moment. I have to talk with the medical, with performance [staff].
"They did a programme in Manchester, I have to hear how that progress was and if they can be available for Sunday."
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