Manchester United go in quest of a fifth consecutive dwelling win in opposition to an Aston Villa aspect additionally focusing on Champions League qualification. BBC Sport examines a number of the key themes earlier than Sunday’s match (14:00 GMT).
Fernandes on cusp of help file
Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat at final week was their first within the Premier League since dropping to Villa earlier than Christmas, and ended Michael Carrick’s unbeaten file as boss. However whereas Villa face a fast turnaround following their Europa League win on Thursday, United have had 10 days to digest the teachings from St James’ Park and put together for this fixture.
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Carrick has gained all 5 of his top-flight video games as a supervisor at Outdated Trafford, together with one as caretaker in 2021. Victory on Sunday would imply he joins an elite record of males to win every of their opening six matches as a Premier League boss, following within the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson, Carlo Ancelotti and Manuel Pellegrini.
If Carrick is so as to add his title to that record then captain Bruno Fernandes will, as ordinary, should play a key position. His objectives and assists have already been price a mixed 23 factors this season.
The 31-year-old, who created Casemiro’s aim in opposition to Newcastle final outing, has 14 Premier League assists this time period. That’s one wanting the file by a United participant in a marketing campaign, set by David Beckham 26 years in the past.
[BBC]
Villa return to scene of painful defeat
Aston Villa’s hopes of Champions League qualification ended at Outdated Trafford on the ultimate day of final season, with Unai Emery’s aspect controversially crushed 2-0.
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Villa complained to referees’ physique PGMOL after Morgan Rogers had a gap aim disallowed for kicking the ball out of Altay Bayindir’s palms. TV replays advised the goalkeeper could not have been in management, however as a result of referee Thomas Bramall blew his whistle earlier than Rogers scored, VAR was unable to assessment the choice.
Villa’s probabilities of returning to the Champions League subsequent season have been dented by inconsistent type because the flip of the yr, with simply two victories from their previous 9 top-flight matches. They’ve additionally misplaced back-to-back league video games in opposition to and though they did beat Lille on Thursday – making them the one one of many Premier League’s 9 European representatives to win this week. The outcome additionally introduced up Emery’s a hundredth victory in cost.
John McGinn returned on the Stade Pierre-Mauroy after two months out injured however Villa stay with out Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans. The Villans haven’t gained a league sport this season with out no less than a kind of three key midfielders of their beginning line-up.
[BBC]