Manchester United predicted XI vs Aston Villa – How Erik ten Hag will replace Lisandro Martínez

Erik ten Hag will need to replace Lisandro Martínez as Manchester United face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Manchester United‘s thumping 3-0 victory against West Ham United last weekend saw Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund run riot at Old Trafford, taking the team to sixth in the Premier League table.

The game did, however, leave a sour note, with Lisandro Martínez sustaining a knee injury that will now leave him out until at least the beginning of April – and Erik ten Hag will now need to find a way to replace him.

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André Onana will, of course, start in goal, continuing his run in the net that has only been interrupted by AFCON, while Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw will almost certainly start at right and left back, respectively.

The challenge comes at central defence, where Martínez will not be able to partner Maguire such as against West Ham – and the most likely candidate to succeed him in the position will be Raphaël Varane.

Varane, being an ambipedal player, will be able to cover the left-footed passing angles that Martínez provides with relative ease.

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In midfield, there is no doubt that Kobbie Mainoo will continue his spectacular introduction into the team, where, barring injury, he will partner with the Brazilian Casemiro.

Casemiro had a big impact against West Ham, being the player who won the ball back moments before Højlund opened the scoring at Old Trafford.

Bruno Fernandes, club captain, will, of course, start as the most attacking of the midfield three, and the front three almost picks itself.

Højlund and Garnacho will start as the striker and right winger, respectively, following their recent goal exploits, with Marcus Rashford, the most viable candidate for the right-wing position.

Garnacho and Højlund both scored last time the two sides met in December, with Aston Villa’s high line providing many opportunities for the Reds. This will be a factor that Ten Hag will likely have focused on in training leading up to the fixture.

Predicted Manchester United XI vs Aston Villa

Onana, Dalot, Maguire, Varane, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes, Garnacho, Højlund, Rashford.