Understandably, Manchester United fans are not excited about the prospect of playing even a side that is plagued by injury issues at this time.
Even missing their captain and standout forward Heung-Min Son, Tottenham Hotspur easily defeated Old Trafford 3-0 in the previous game.
So even an Aston Villa team without several important players is still very formidable opposition as long as Erik ten Hag sticks to his perplexing tactical setup, which works to highlight his players’ shortcomings and undercut their strengths.
Manchester United goes to Villa Park to play a squad that crushed Bayern Munich in the Champions League four days ago, following two games in which they have conceded six goals.
Unai Emery revealed at his pregame press conference that three standout players—Leon Bailey, Jacob Ramsley, and the once-linked Amadou Onana to Manchester United—are all in a race against time to make the matchday roster.
It won’t matter, though, if United keeps up their recent defensive performance.
Amadou Onana and company could represent Aston Villa against Manchester United.
Bailey and Ramsey, the winger and the midfielder who was substituted off due to injuries in that historic victory against Bayern Munich, are now both considered doubts, according to Emery.
“I’m not sure whether they’ll be accessible on Sunday. It will be quite close [to see] if they are free on Sunday. Every player is required.
“We are going to train tomorrow, but they are unsure today.”
In late 2022, Ramsey scored as Aston Villa defeated Ten Hag’s Manchester United 3-1 to begin the Emery era. His ability to carry the ball and smash boxes are two things the Red Devils would struggle with.
Bailey, on the other hand, has the quickness and cunning to take advantage of the huge gaps Ten Hag’s style creates at full-back.
At least Man United might escape the further embarrassment of having their midfield controlled by a man the Red Devils could have, and maybe should, acquired for £50 million from Everton before Manuel Ugarte arrives in the North West.
Until he signed a contract with Aston Villa, Onana was closely associated with United. He has made a fantastic start to his life in the Midlands.
Unai Emery must make a difficult choice about a possible goodbye to Erik ten Hag.
But Unai Emery isn’t completely discounting Onana.
He is confident that the former Lille prospect will contribute to the match versus United, even if it is just as a substitute. However, Emery has to decide if Onana should play given his situation and whether he even can.
Onana, a big Belgian who has been one of Villa’s standout performers during a fantastic start to 2024–25, is without a doubt, according to Emery. However, since it’s not a significant injury, I believe he will be able to play.
“But we need to be clinical in our decision-making for the following encounter when we play matches on the weekends and during the week.
“I have to identify some changes [that need to be made] and figure out better moments for other players who are ready to play, even from last year when we played in the Conference [League].”
Even while conflicting speculations regarding Ten Hag’s future have made an already precarious situation worse, the Dutchman’s two-and-a-half-year tenure in the Manchester United bench may come to an end with another crushing loss to a purported Champions League contender.
Thomas Tuchel is being considered by Man United once more. Simone Inzaghi, the manager of Inter Milan, has reportedly also received a job offer from United.
