Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has warned his side about ‘fantastic’ Manchester United players ahead of their Premier League clash on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United will aim to build on their strong away form when they travel to Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon in a fixture that could have major implications for the Premier League title race.
While Ruben Amorim’s side have struggled to protect leads at Old Trafford in recent weeks, most notably surrendering advantages three times in Monday night’s dramatic 4–4 draw with Bournemouth, their performances on the road have been far more reliable.
United remain unbeaten away from home since late September, recording impressive victories over Liverpool and Crystal Palace, along with draws against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.
However, Sunday’s visit to Villa Park represents their sternest challenge so far. Unai Emery’s side are on a nine-game Premier League winning streak and sit just three points behind leaders Arsenal, and they will view an inconsistent United as another opportunity to capitalise on home advantage.
Emery warns Aston Villa about ‘fantastic’ United players
While Villa are the most in-form team in the Premier League right now, Unai Emery is not taking the clash against United lightly.
He has recognised that while the Reds are having ‘some problems’ at Old Trafford, they are thriving in away matches and also have some ‘fantastic’ attacking talent who can cause danger for his team.
“They are performing very, very well away (from home), very well. And winning matches and performing and playing fantastic,” Emery said of United in his press conference.
“At home, they are having some more problems than away, but I respect them a lot because their history, how they are performing, with the coach, new coach, last year and this year I think they are getting better.
“And with the players they have, they have very, very good players and offensively they are performing fantastic.
“And we are ready, but we are respecting them and we are being humble. Be humble, especially in this moment, we must be humble, to try to understand why we are performing like we are.”
United’s most likely front three vs Villa
United will be without some of that attacking talent on Sunday, with it being the first match that Bryan Mbeumo and Amad will miss due to AFCON.
Benjamin Šeško is back from injury and available for selection, however, and Matheus Cunha produced one of his best performances at United last time out.
The most likely front three for the game involves both of them, as well as Mason Mount, who is finding some solid form and consistency at Old Trafford.
Emery will be wondering how the Reds will set up, with some reports claiming that Amorim will utilise a back four in upcoming fixtures.
That could open up a space in the team for Kobbie Mainoo, who impressed off the bench in the draw against Bournemouth.
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