Preview
Manchester United will compete in the first of a busy Premier League roster when they travel to Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. The Red Devils are set to play three league games in the space of just five days. Last Sunday's fans protest against the Glazers in and outside Old Trafford forced the clash with Liverpool to be postponed until the coming Thursday.
Needless to say, United will approach the game fresh of qualifying for the final of the Europa League. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side was defeated 3-2 in the second leg clash with AS Roma at the Stadio Olympico but was able to sail through with an aggregate score of 8-5. In the Premier League, they have put together a phenomenal run, as they have lost just once from their last 27 fixtures.
In that period, they have fallen behind in seven games but were able to secure successive comebacks as well. Having played two games short of the tally of leaders Manchester City, the Red Devils still remain in the second position with 67 points. Should they fall to Aston Villa, Pep Guardiola's men who had their title win celebrations postponed by Chelsea will be crowned the new league champions.
For Villa, the objective is to finish in the top half of the Premier League following a rather turbulent run in recent weeks, Despite starting the campaign impressively, the Villians have had cold feets for some time now. Their current run has seen them manage just one win four outings in the competition.
Indeed, this does not help their bid to get the better for Manchester United who have dominated games against them and own the record for the longest unbeaten run away over a single opponent in the English top-flight. Across the last 21 meetings between the pair, the visitors have not recorded a single loss, a streak that stretches back to the opening day of the 1995-96 season.
Considering that Dean Smith's men defeated Everton in their most recent Premier League outing, they should be soaring in confidence and could well complicate things for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men although history is not on their side.
Team news
Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish will not be available to feature against Manchester United when the come to the Villa Park on Sunday. The English talisman who has been linked with a move to the Red Devils is still nursing a shin injury and will be sitting out his 12th game as a result. Both Trezeguets and Morgan Sanson arr also ruled out of contention.
For Manchester United, Anthony Martial, Daniel James and Phil James will be amiss for the trip to Villa Park ast they continue their respective recoveries. Marcus Rashford should be handed a starting berth after shaking off a foot injury and coming on from the bench to feature in Thursday's Europa League clash with AS Roma.
Predicted starting XI
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Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn; Traore, Barkley, El Ghazi; Watkins
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Manchester United: Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, McTominay; Rashford, Fernandes, Pogba; Greenwood.
Broadcast information
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
