Marcus Rashford and Raphael Varane to start in 3 big changes — Man United predicted line up vs Aston Villa

Marcus Rashford and Raphael Varane to start in 3 big changes — Man United predicted line up vs Aston Villa

Man United play Aston Villa in the Premier League on Boxing Day and here’s what the starting team could look like.

Erik ten Hag is expected to make a handful of changes for Manchester United’s Premier League game against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

United slumped to a 2-0 defeat against West Ham at the weekend after goals from Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus in the second half and improvement on that performance is required.

The defeat meant United have now failed to score in four straight games for the first time since autumn 1992. “We didn’t score the goal,” Ten Hag said following the defeat in London. “The meaning of the first goal. I think we control the game, didn’t give West Ham United anything.

“We created three good chances, we didn’t take them, one moment of switching off and we are down, we are losing the game. I think that is how I see the performance.

“As I said before, we have players who can [score], they proved it in the past they can do it. But we also have to acknowledge the facts that we didn’t do as a team and we have to take responsibility and of course, football is about winning games and is about scoring goals.

“We have issues, we had many setbacks, injuries, etc. But the players on the pitch are good enough to win the game. So it is also about get into the box, make sure you are there, make sure you have the willingness to arrive there and the willingness to be clinical and score a goal.”

Willy Kambwala was handed his debut against West Ham because Raphael Varane was absent due to illness, but the 30-year-old is set to return to the starting team against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Diogo Dalot was suspended for the visit to the London Stadium and Aaron Wan-Bissaka started at right-back. The pair have fought for a starting role over the last 18 months but the latter is set to retain his position in the line-up.

In midfield, Kobbie Mainoo is expected to be moved to the bench to accommodate Sofyan Amrabat. Ten Hag is carefully handling the youngster and the experience of Amrabat will be relied upon.

There could also be a change in attack, with Marcus Rashford coming back into the team after starting consecutive games on the bench.

Rashford hasn’t made a huge impact from the bench but Antony is yet to record a goal or an assist this season.

Predicted United XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Evans, Varane, Shaw; Amrabat, McTominay, Fernandes; Rashford, Hojlund, Garnacho