Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Manchester United could line up for their Premier League Boxing Day clash with Aston Villa.
Manchester United will welcome Diogo Dalot back from suspension when they host Aston Villa for a Premier League Boxing Day battle at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese right-back missed Saturday’s 2-0 loss to West Ham United after being banished for two bookable offences against Liverpool, but he is now eligible for selection again.
That is more than can be said for Jadon Sancho (club suspension), Amad Diallo (knee), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Mason Mount (calf), Harry Maguire (groin), Victor Lindelof (unspecified), Casemiro (thigh) and Tyrell Malacia (knee), and Erik ten Hag also has no fewer than three illness doubts.
Indeed, both Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial were unavailable for the meeting with West Ham, while Rasmus Hojlund only lasted 57 minutes at the London Stadium due to a bug of his own.
There is nothing to suggest that Hojlund will not be available for Tuesday’s game, but with fixtures coming thick and fast, it would not be a surprise to see him spared as Marcus Rashford operates at the tip of the attack.
Rashford could be shoe-horned into a central role in order to allow Alejandro Garnacho – one of the Red Devils’ biggest threats against West Ham – to continue as part of the supporting trident with Antony and Bruno Fernandes.
Kobbie Mainoo was culpable for West Ham’s second goal over the weekend, and while Ten Hag should not demote him on that mistake alone, the hectic schedule may tempt him into recalling a fit-again Christian Eriksen to partner Scott McTominay.
Further back, the fresh legs of Dalot ought to be utilised over Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Tottenham Hotspur-owned Sergio Reguilon could also come into Ten Hag’s thinking for a starting role over Luke Shaw.
Willy Kambwala did not do much wrong on his Premier League debut on Saturday, but if Varane’s viral affliction settles down in time for Boxing Day, the Frenchman should be reintroduced alongside Jonny Evans in front of Andre Onana.
Manchester United possible starting lineup: Onana; Dalot, Evans, Varane, Reguilon; McTominay, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford
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