Chido Obi and Kobbie Mainoo may return to the starting XI as Manchester United prepare to face off against Aston Villa on the final day of the Premier League season.
After a dismal showing in the Europa League final, Manchester United now turn their focus to their final fixture of the season — a home clash against Aston Villa on Premier League matchday 38.
Unai Emery’s Villa are still in the hunt for Champions League qualification, while United, currently 16th in the table, have only pride left to play for after a season defined by disappointment.
Rúben Amorim’s men could climb as high as 14th if West Ham fail to beat Ipswich and Wolves lose to Brentford, but such a finish would be little more than cosmetic in the context of a deeply underwhelming campaign.
With morale low, the pressure rising, and Villa arriving with everything on the line, there’s a genuine concern that United could suffer yet another damaging defeat — one that would only deepen the sense of crisis surrounding the club heading into the summer.
Amorim expected to make nine changes vs Villa
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Saturday afternoon, Amorim hinted that he will still look to field a strong squad against Villa, although several second-string first-team players may be handed starts, with nine possible changes from the Europa League final.
Altay Bayındır looks likely to be sold this summer, so he could start his fourth Premier League fixture of the season. There is little need to risk André Onana in goal after an “awful” Europa League final performance.
In defence, Victor Lindelöf may also be handed a start on the right as he is set to depart once his contract expires at the end of June. Ayden Heaven could return to the side on the left, with the pair on either side of Harry Maguire.
With Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu having played a host of minutes in the last six months, Harry Amass may be handed another start in the Premier League as Amorim looks to continue developing the promising wing-back.
On the right flank, Diogo Dalot may be handed his first start back from injury after coming off the bench in the Europa League final.
In midfield, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes have played many minutes across the club’s last few fixtures. Amorim may start a midfielder pairing of Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte, neither of whom has played significant minutes in United’s previous two fixtures.
As for the front three, with Amorim still looking to finish the season strong, Amad could continue in attack but make way for 17-year-old Bendito Mantato to make his much-anticipated debut in the second half.
Young star striker Chido Obi may be reinstated into the starting XI as the striker after Rasmus Højlund’s torrid displays in attack this season. At the same time, Christian Eriksen could also be granted his final few minutes at Old Trafford before he leaves this summer.
United predicted XI vs Villa
Bayındır, Lindelöf, Maguire, Heaven, Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo, Amass, Amad, Obi, Eriksen.
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