Manchester United will look to continue their unbeaten start to the new Premier League season, when they take on Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime
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Manchester United v Aston Villa: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer preview
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hoping fresh legs help Manchester United overcome a hectic fixture schedule to beat Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils beat West Ham in the Premier League last time out, before losing to the same opponents in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
For the cup clash, Solskjaer opted to change his entire starting lineup, with the fringe players failing to stake a claim for a start in the league.
The Norwegian has again changed all XI starters in a bid to continue their unbeaten start to the league season.
And after the quick turnaround from Wednesday night, Solskjaer is hoping that the rest this week will pay off.
“They are fresh, prepared well, they have worked well this week,” he told MUTV of the lineup. “A few on the bench Wednesday night. We have prepared really well.
“Early kick-offs… It’s hard when you play Wednesday night. That’s part of the reason we did what we did on Wednesday night.”
One of the notable changes on the substitute’s bench is the addition of Edinson Cavani.
The Uruguayan has made just one appearance so far this season, having been granted an additional summer break, before suffering an ankle injury.
He was unable to play against the Hammers in midweek, but Solskjaer hopes his return could help decide what could be a tight encounter.
The United boss added: “He is an exceptional striker, finisher, his movement in the box. Tight games are always decided in the boxes so to have another striker is good.”
Cristiano Ronaldo was one of the players given a night off in midweek, despite the 36-year-old’s desperation to play in every game.
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Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
Ronaldo could break a post-war United record with a goal today, becoming the first player to score in their ‘first’ four games for the club since James Hansen in 1924.
In Villa, Ronaldo comes up against the English side he has scored most goals against, netting nine in his first spell.
Asked if he could make it ten against the side in claret and blue, Solskjaer continued: “Let’s hope it continues, he’s so focused on playing every game as well as he can, he’s prepared well.
“He’s started really well and had an impact both on and off the pitch…let’s hope so.”
In 14 previous encounters with Aston Villa, Ronaldo has never been on the losing side.
