Match Preview: Aston Villa v Manchester Utd possible lineup
Manchester United will have a chance to further strengthen their top-four finish mission when they take a trip to Villa Park later today to keep a date with Aston Villa.
The Red Devils will be going into the high-profile Premier League match after their remarkable 3-0 victory over West Ham United in their last game, and they will be looking for another win to make it three straight victories in a row.
Team News:
Manchester United’s defensive struggles continue as center-back Lisandro Martinez suffered a knee injury during their match against West Ham, forcing him off the field in the 71st minute. The Argentine defender is confirmed to be sidelined for at least eight weeks, dealing another blow to his Red Devils career.
Martinez’s absence adds to the growing list of injury concerns for Manchester United. The club is already without key players such as Anthony Martial (groin), Tyrell Malacia (knee), and Mason Mount (calf). Additionally, Aaron Wan-Bissaka will miss the upcoming match against Aston Villa after exiting Thursday’s training session due to an unspecified problem.
In Martinez’s absence, manager Erik ten Hag is expected to turn to Raphael Varane as a direct replacement in the defense. Varane, a seasoned defender, will be tasked with shoring up the backline in Martinez’s absence.
Despite the injury setbacks, Manchester United remains determined to maintain their winning form. With no need to make significant changes to the lineup, Ten Hag is likely to stick with a winning formula. One player to watch is young talent Hojlund, who aims to make history by becoming the youngest player in Manchester United history to score in five consecutive Premier League games.
Check out the possible starting lineup vs Aston Villa below:
Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Varane, Shaw; Mainoo, Casemiro; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund.
Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes and stars Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund
Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes has been branded a ‘disgrace’
Erik ten Hag has been urged to strip Bruno Fernandes of the Manchester United captaincy amid incredible claims he’s detrimental to the development of the club’s younger stars.
Ten Hag made Fernandes the new captain of Man Utd upon taking the armband off Harry Maguire last summer.
Fernandes, 29, was a controversial choice given the Portuguese firebrand has become synonymous with on-field strops.
Fernandes wears his heart on his sleeve and his frustrations – often with his own teammates – are regularly on show.
Nonetheless, he was the man Ten Hag turned to and amid talk of being offered a brand new contract, he’s not likely to relinquish the armband any time soon.
There has been speculation surrounding a lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia. Indeed, Fernandes reportedly received an astronomical offer to join Al-Hilal in January.
However, the Man Utd playmaker showed his loyalty to the club by snubbing the move and reignited interest come the summer is expected to meet the same fate.
But according to pundit Frank McAvennie, Man Utd would be wise to name a new club captain if Fernandes is so stay at Old Trafford.
Speaking to Football Insider, the former Scotland international remarkably branded Fernandes a “disgrace” for his “petulance” and on-field histrionics.
McAvennie highlighted the fact United have an exciting crop of young talent in their ranks, with the report specifically namechecking Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund.
In McAvennie’s eyes, Fernande’s suspect behaviour is setting the wrong example for the club’s rising young stars.
Man Utd youngsters need a better role model – McAvennie
“If he was in my team I’d have had him by the throat by now,” raged McAvennie.
“I couldn’t put up with his petulance. He’s a disgrace, like a wee boy.
“Honestly – he’s not a good example to the rest of the players in the dressing room.
“Some of these young players at Man Utd have so much talent – but they need to look up to somebody. Fernandes isn’t that man.
“Getting booked for arguing with referees or arguing with players… you’re the captain of Man Utd, set an example.
“I don’t think he should be in the role, personally.”
Fernandes leads Man Utd in the yellow cards category this season with nine. But given he was handpicked by Ten Hag to succeed Maguire as captain, it stands to reason he’ll not be removed from the role any time soon.
Manchester United’s defensive lineup faces a significant blow as Lisandro Martinez, the formidable Argentine center-back, finds himself sidelined due to injury. Martinez’s absence comes at a critical juncture for the Red Devils, with a string of crucial fixtures looming on the horizon.
The injury setback couldn’t have come at a worse time for Manchester United, as they prepare for pivotal clashes in both domestic and Cup competitions.
Martinez’s absence leaves a noticeable void in United’s defensive structure, depriving them of his commanding presence and astute reading of the game. The 2022 World Cup winner will be absent for at least 8 weeks as confirmed by Erik ten Hag earlier this week, which clearly leads us to the main central message of this article.
Below are 3 crucial Premier League fixtures Lisandro Martinez could miss for Man United for the next two months due to injury.
Man City (A)
Martinez will play no part in Man United’s second leg blockbuster derby fixture against neighboring rivals, Manchester City, by the start of March.
Chelsea (A)
A trip to West London appears to be another crucial test that Erik ten Hag will have to trust the likes of Lindelof, Maguire and Johnny Evans to step up in the absence of Lisandro Martinez.
Liverpool (H)
In essence, Lisandro Martinez’s injury comes as a significant setback for Manchester United, forcing the team to recalibrate its defensive strategies and rely on alternative options to shore up the backline. The coming weeks will test United’s depth and resilience, as they strive to cope with the absence of one of their key defensive stalwarts. Only time will tell how Manchester United navigate through this challenging period and whether they can maintain their competitive edge in the absence of Lisandro Martinez.
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