Ruben Amorim has suggested that an ‘important’ Manchester United star will start the upcoming Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
Manchester United will look to maintain their impressive away form when they visit Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon in a fixture that could play a key role in the Premier League title race.
Ruben Amorim’s side have found it difficult to see out matches at Old Trafford in recent weeks, most notably allowing Bournemouth back into the game three times during Monday night’s dramatic 4–4 draw. In contrast, their performances away from home have been far more consistent.
The Reds have not lost on the road since late September, securing notable victories over Liverpool and Crystal Palace, as well as draws against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.
The trip to Villa Park will be their toughest test yet. Unai Emery’s side have won nine straight Premier League matches and sit just three points off leaders Arsenal, with Villa likely to view an inconsistent United as another opportunity to make the most of their home advantage.
Amorim suggests that ‘important’ United star will start vs Villa
United will be without some key players against Villa. Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui have all travelled to compete at AFCON.
Casemiro is also unavailable due to suspension, while Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire remain out of action with injuries.
Speaking to club media ahead of the game, Amorim spoke directly about Benjamin Šeško, who returned from injury last time out against Bournemouth.
He came off the bench in that game but with Amorim stating that the summer signing is ‘ready’ for the clash with Villa, it seems like he could make his first start since his injury setback.
“I think he is a different type of striker,” said Amorim of the 22-year-old. “The only one in that part because Josh [Zirkzee] is more like a no.9 and 10 at the same time, a little bit like Cunha. Ben is a guy who likes to be in the box. He makes a lot of runs.
“Of course, if you look at him, you can feel that he has so much more to give. He is improving the physicality, he was one month without playing, but he is ready and he is going to help us.”
United need to deliver crosses for Šeško
While Šeško was out of action, it seemed like United finally figured out how to deliver crosses into the penalty box, and that needs to continue when he returns to the pitch.
The United striker has not started brilliantly this term but Amorim has described him as ‘important’ and it is clear that he can be a real danger in the air and crosses into the box will cause problems.
But with Mbeumo and Amad not with the squad, other players will need to step up when trying to produce quality deliveries from wide areas of the pitch.
Šeško will be hoping that he can take advantage of those moments and gain some momentum in a United shirt ahead of a crucial period of the season.
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