(4-4-2) Kobbie Mainoo returns,Two academy players starts, Maguire back”, Predicted Man United line up vs Aston Villa – as Ruben Amorim makes Five bold changes due to AFCON crisis
Manchester United are set to face Aston Villa in a challenging Premier League clash this weekend.
The Red Devils have shown marginal improvement lately but their task at Villa Park could be complicated by the absence of as many as six senior players.
United head coach Ruben Amorim will need to be tactically astute and creatively bold if United are to compete with a Villa side riding high on confidence.
It was recently revealed that Amorim is planning to change the formation of his side to 4-3-3 during the AFCON period.
The Red Devils showed shades of adaptability in their thrilling 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
Here we look at how the Portuguese head coach could set up his team in a new formation.
Goalkeeper
Senne Lammens
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Lammens conceded four goals against the Cherries.
He could have done better on a few occasions but more than made up for that with two sensational stops late in injury time.
The Belgian retains his starting spot in the XI.
Defence
Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw
Dalot has shown massive improvement at left wing-back, but he will be the undisputed starter at right-back after Mazraoui’s departure.
Yoro and Ayden Heaven are learning on the job with Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt sidelined due to injury.
Yoro may get the nod ahead of Ayden Heaven, partnering Lisandro Martinez at the heart of defence.
Fielding two left-footed defenders centrally would be far from ideal, making Martinez’s inclusion alongside Yoro the more balanced option.
Luke Shaw has started in every league game and that could continue but in a different left-back role on Sunday.
Midfield
Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo
Casemiro will miss the trip to the Midlands after collecting his fifth individual booking of the league campaign.
Manuel Ugarte is his direct replacement in the holding midfielder role.
He could be supported by Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, a move that would hand the 20-year-old his first Premier League start of the season.
This could be a perfect opportunity for Mainoo to show his talent.
Attack
Mason Mount, Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha
Sesko made his return from a knee injury in the Bournemouth thriller.
He could now be drafted in the XI to lead the attack.
Matheus Cunha is likely to operate from the left, cutting inside onto his stronger right foot in trademark fashion.
The biggest selection dilemma comes on the right flank, with both Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo absent due to AFCON commitments.
Mason Mount could emerge as a surprise solution, drifting into central pockets to create space and allow Dalot to stretch the play and float crosses for Sesko.
