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Manchester United v Aston Villa: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer preview
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be only too happy to bring back his rested stars into the fold when Manchester United host Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Red Devils are still reeling from a shock defeat at the hands of West Ham in the third round of the Carabao Cup in midweek.
The Norwegian had chosen to make nine changes to his lineup for Wednesday’s game in front of the Old Trafford faithful.
But his experiment backfired when the Hammers exacted revenge for their narrow defeat in the Premier League just four days prior by taking away a 1-0 win thanks to Manuel Lanzini’s strike.
Solskjaer is still searching for his first silverware since taking over as Man United boss in December 2018 and the EFL Cup was regarded as a winnable competition.
Still, with his side perched on top of the Premier League after five games, Solskjaer will be confident of getting back to winning ways.
Cristiano Ronaldo has enjoyed a fine start to his second spell since signing on a two-year deal from Juventus in August, bagging four goals in as many games in all competitions.
The 36-year-old will no doubt be itching to get back into the side after he was rested for the cup tie and substituted during the 2-1 defeat at Young Boys in their Champions League group stage opener.
At the back, David de Gea looks set to return in place of Dean Henderson following his recent improvement.
The Spaniard has emerged as Solskjaer’s first-choice while Henderson has struggled with a positive Covid-19 diagnosis and only recently returned to action.
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De Gea, meanwhile, saved a penalty in their 2-1 win against West Ham at the London Stadium a week ago and looks set to retain his place in goal.
Solskjaer will be able to name his preferred back four once again after naming a makeshift backline on Wednesday.
Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Alex Telles are set to drop to the bench as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, captain Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw take their places.
Ahead of them in the midfield places, there looks to be no place for Donny van de Beek after the Dutchman’s unspectacular display.
Likewise, Nemanja Matic is set to drop out with Fred and Scott McTominay preferred in the double-pivot in midfield.
That will allow Paul Pogba to return to his favoured role as a wide midfielder on the left flank, having been deployed in the middle in the 4-1 win over Newcastle.
Mason Greenwood looks set to get the nod over Jadon Sancho after another uninspiring performance from the £73million summer signing.
The 21-year-old is yet to open his Man United account in five appearances since joining from Borussia Dortmund, while Greenwood is thriving after being allowed to recuperate over the summer.
With Marcus Rashford still some way away from returning to first-team action and doubts over Anthony Martial, Ronaldo will be tasked with leading the frontline.
He will be supported by Bruno Fernandes, with the Portuguese playmaker forging a solid relationship with his compatriot in the opening games.
Man Utd predicted starting XI to face Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, McTominay; Greenwood, Fernandes, Pogba; Ronaldo.
