A damming statistic revealed by Opta has highlighted how Michael Carrick must set up his Manchester United team against Aston Villa.
Manchester United face Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon in what could be a huge game in the Champions League qualification race.
United and Villa are tied on 51 points in the Premier League after 29 games, with Michael Carrick’s side only ahead on goal difference.
In the reverse fixture earlier this season, Bruno Fernandes was withdrawn at halftime due to a hamstring injury, leading to a midfield combination of Lisandro Martínez and Jack Fletcher.
Despite a goal from Matheus Cunha before halftime, Unai Emery’s side won 2-1 at Villa Park thanks to a Morgan Rogers brace.
While he wasn’t in the dugout for the first game, Michael Carrick will be desperate for all three points, especially if he wants to remain at Old Trafford beyond the end of this season.
How Carrick has to play against Villa
Against Manchester City and Arsenal, Michael Carrick resorted to a more defensive and counter-attacking approach. He ensured the 4-4-2 defensive block was solid and difficult to break down before attempting to take the game to the opposition by getting on the ball and moving it with speed.
However, against Aston Villa, Carrick should take a different tactical style, especially if John McGinn starts from the bench, as he did against LOSC Lille in the Europa League after returning from injury. He is a key member of the Villa midfield, as are Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielmans, but they are both out with separate injury issues.
A recent Opta statistic has been revealed by BBC Sport, showing Villa’s record without the crucial midfield trio. When they started together this season, Emery’s side has won seven, drawn two and lost one, but when none of them is playing, they have drawn two and lost five. As McGinn is the only one who could play, United have a real advantage in the middle of the park.
To capitalise on Villa’s weakness, Carrick should look to take control and dominate the game from the referee’s whistle. Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes should be able to overpower Villa’s second-string midfield and look to play through the centre, rather than soaking up the pressure and hitting them on the break.
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United must use the crowd
Old Trafford can be a dangerous place. Not just for away teams, though. If the crowd see something they don’t like, they can pile the pressure on the United players, sometimes accidentally causing mistakes.
However, when the crowd gets behind the team, they can look as if they have 15 players, never mind 11.
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Carrick’s side must use the crowd to fuel their performance in what is a crucial match against Aston Villa. A win could see them go three points clear of the closest Champions League challengers, while a loss could see them overtaken by Chelsea and Liverpool.
This is the definition of a six-pointer. It is crucial for Villa, United and Michael Carrick.
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