Verdict: Morgan Rogers over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Returning to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon following their Europa League heartbreak, Manchester United will host Aston Villa for their season finale.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, suffering Europa League heartbreak on Wednesday night as they slumped to a 1-0 loss against Tottenham in the Basque Country, Manchester United have rightfully faced another public backlash over the past few days. While there might have been plenty of excitement around Old Trafford back in November following Ruben Amorim’s arrival, the former Sporing Lisbon boss has overseen a nightmare in the red half of Manchester. With his position now looking increasingly untenable, the former Sporting Lisbon boss has broken a string of unwanted records. Opening their season finale sat way down in 16th, Sunday’s hosts have also failed to win any of their previous nine consecutive meetings against Premier League opposition across all competitions. Likewise, drawing a blank in all of their last three straight outings, Man United could have a toxic mood in their camp this weekend.
Manchester United Team News
Both missing Wednesday’s Europa League final with respective knee injuries, Manchester United will once again be without the defensive duo of Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez on Sunday afternoon. However, making a shock return to Amorim’s squad in midweek, Dutch International Joshua Zirkzee could get some more minutes under his belt.
With Amorim potentially looking to make some alterations here, the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho could be handed full recalls. In what looks set to be his final appearance at Old Trafford, ex-Tottenham star Christian Eriksen will be hoping to play some part.
Aston Villa
As for the visitors, opening up Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford with just their goal difference keeping them outside the Champions League spots, Aston Villa face what is a season-defining showdown here. Despite watching their respective FA Cup and European adventures come to an end last month, Unai Emery’s men haven’t shown any signs of a hangover. Last seen putting in another dominant display as they secured a 2-0 victory at home against newly-crowned Europa League winners Tottenham, the former Arsenal boss has seen his squad win all of their previous three top-flight appearances. However, although Villa might open their season finale pencilled in as a standout contender, Emery’s men do hold a worrying record against the Red Devils. In fact, Sunday’s guests have failed to win any of their previous five meetings against Manchester United across all competitions (four defeats, one draw).
Aston Villa Team News
Picking up a hamstring injury last month and also ineligible to feature against his parent club, Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford will not feature here. However, after serving a one-match suspension against Tottenham last week, Jacob Ramsey will return to Emery’s travelling squad on Sunday afternoon.
Recording 16 Premier League goals this season, England international Ollie Watkins will spearhead Villa’s attack. In what looks set to be his final appearance for the Villains this weekend, Argentinian shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez will start between the sticks.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa Key Factors to Consider
- Manchester United are unbeaten in their previous five meetings against Aston Villa across all competitions (four wins, one draw).
- However, including their Europa League final defeat against Tottenham on Wednesday night, Man United have failed to win any of their last nine meetings against top-flight opposition.
- Aston Villa have won their previous three Premier League appearances by an aggregate score of 4-0.
- Emery’s side open their season finale on Sunday afternoon with just their goal difference keeping them outside the Champions League spots.
- Manchester United have recorded just a single Premier League clean sheet at Old Trafford so far this calendar year.
Conclusion
Getting Sunday’s finale underway with just their goal difference keeping them outside the Champions League spots, Aston Villa face what is a season-defining showdown here. Watching Manchester United extend on their public crisis earlier in the week as they slumped to that 1-0 Europa League final defeat against Tottenham over in the Basque Country, Villa should be excited by a trip to Old Trafford. With the Red Devils remarkably failing to win any of their last nine consecutive meetings against Premier League opposition across all competitions, they have also shown some glaring issues at both ends of the pitch.
Verdict: Morgan Rogers over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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