Rúben Amorim could be without up to six players as Manchester United prepare to face Aston Villa on Sunday evening.
Manchester United will be looking to continue their good away form as they travel to face Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon in what could be a defining moment of the Premier League season.
Although Rúben Amorim’s home form has been suspect of late, letting leads slip away from them, including leading Bournemouth on three occasions during their 4-4 draw on Monday evening, their away results have been better.
Having not lost away from home since the end of September, the Reds have picked up wins on the road against Liverpool and Crystal Palace while drawing against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.
However, heading to Villa Park will be their toughest test yet. Unai Emery’s men have won their last nine games in the Premier League and sit just three points off top of the table Arsenal, and will be eyeing Amorim’s unstable team as another side they could pick apart at their own ground.
Ahead of the game, Amorim could be missing up to six players for the tie.
Casemiro
What happened: Casemiro received his fifth yellow card of the season against Bournemouth as he tackled Marcus Tavernier on the edge of United’s area.
What’s been said: The Premier League confirmed that the Brazilian will now serve a one-game ban and will be barred from facing Aston Villa.
Possible return date: 26 December – Newcastle (H)
Matthijs de Ligt
What happened: Matthijs de Ligt has not been a part of United’s last three fixtures against West Ham, Wolves, and Bournemouth.
What’s been said: Amorim admitted after the Bournemouth result that he does not know if De Ligt will be fit to face Aston Villa, but there is no indication that the defender’s injury is a serious one.
Possible return date: 26 December – Newcastle (H)
Harry Maguire
What happened: Harry Maguire has not featured for United since the beginning of November, when he suffered a hamstring issue against Tottenham Hotspur.
What’s been said: Much like De LIgt, Amorim confirmed on Monday evening that he is not entirely sure of Maguire’s return date, although it was thought earlier this month that mid/late-December was a reasonable estimate.
Possible return date: 26 December – Newcastle (H)
Amad
What happened: After featuring against Bourneouth, Amad is set to fly to Morocco to take part in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast.
What’s been said: “That is the fun part of being a manager, we will try to find solutions with the players that we have,” Amorim said when asked about finding new ways of playing without Amad and Bryan Mbeumo.
Possible return date: If Amad is knocked out of the group stages, he could return for 4 January – Leeds United (A).
Read More: Rúben Amorim was missing one player vs Bournemouth who will unleash his new Manchester United
Bryan Mbeumo
What happened: Just like Amad, Mbeumo is due to fly to compete at AFCON, but with Cameroon.
What’s been said: “We will try to find a way to score goals in a different way,” Amorim said, amid losing the club’s top goalscorer.
Possible return date: If Mbeumo is knocked out of the group stages, he could return for 4 January – Leeds United (A).
Noussair Mazraoui
What happened: Noussair Mazraoui is also competing at AFCON, but was not given permission to play against Bournemouth by the Moroccan federation, as his first game of the tournament comes days before Amad and Mbeumo’s.
What’s been said: N/A
Possible return date: If Mazraoui is knocked out of the group stages, he could return for 4 January – Leeds United (A).
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