Ralf Rangnick has his hands full with this Manchester United team, and it won’t be any easier when the fit Aston Villa visits Old Trafford to begin their FA Cup journey this season.
While other Premier League teams benefited from a favorable draw to advance against lower-level opposition, Manchester United faced a Premier League team for the FA Cup third round. That will only make things more difficult for Rangnick, whose team shortcomings were exposed in the 1-0 loss to the Wolves last time out.
The Red Devils were defeated by a structured squad of Wolves, and Rangnick’s preferred formation did not produce the desired results. There will be calls for the German to be more flexible with his tactics and work to get the best out of his available squad.
Aston Villa meanwhile have lost four of their last six Premier League games, but the performances arguably didn’t deserve that tough comeback. Those recent results include one-goal-adjusted losses to title contenders Man City and Liverpool, plus a 3-1 loss at Stamford Bridge that saw Villa lead Chelsea before Romelu Lukaku’s introduction at halftime turned around. the match.
Steven Gerrard has been praised for his opening stint of games at Villa Park, and the team appears to be a real test for Rangnick’s beleaguered Red Devils. These two teams will meet again just days later with a Premier League showdown scheduled for January 15.
How to watch Man United vs. Aston Villa
- Date: Monday, January 10
- Hour: 2:55 pm ET
- Transmission: ESPN + (subscribers only)
Monday’s FA Cup match between Manchester United and Old Trafford’s Aston Villa will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN’s ESPN + streaming service in the US.
Man United vs. Projected Lineups Aston Villa
is still out of Manchester United, rehabbing his groin injury in Dubai and still needing another month before training again. He is returning from his COVID-19 stage, but is still out with an injury, so he could keep his place in the starting lineup, although he is also a candidate depending on whether Rangnick opts for a first-choice lineup in the cup.
and both are suspended for the replay of this Premier League match on January 15 due to the yellow card suspension, so both are likely to be used here to help the team breathe. It will be interesting to see if it is deployed by Rangnick, who left the Portuguese midfielder on the bench for the Wolves game, and his presentation around the time of that game took effect and betrayed the manager’s initial decision.
He would also be expected to start in Manchester United’s goal, as he was the man in United’s net in the EFL Cup loss to West Ham United.
Henderson (GK) – Dalot, Lindelof, Jones, Shaw – Fred, McTominay – Sancho, Fernandes – Ronaldo, Rashford.
4 – Manchester United have not scored in four different Premier League home games this season, more than in all of 2020-21 (3). failing #MUNWOL pic.twitter.com/Sa1mgs8zso
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 3, 2022
Steven Gerrard is expected to name a full team, with both of them and ready to return after missing the disappointing loss to Brentford last time out. you are likely to miss out on an ankle injury, unless a delayed fitness test is performed while and have already been ruled out.
Aston Villa lacks attackers and due to their participation in the African Cup of Nations, absences that will be felt. Mings and are suspended for the Premier League match due to yellow card accumulation, but both are likely to be deployed here.
A new man is unlikely to show up after making a move in January as the Brazilian just arrived in England on Sunday.
Martínez (GK) – Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett – Ramsey, Luiz, McGinn – Buendia, Watkins, Ings.
Man United vs. Aston Villa
Odds courtesy of DraftKings
Aston Villa is a well-trained team, and with the Manchester United boss already outmatched by several Premier League coaches during his short stint in charge, I hope Steven Gerrard will give him another good test.
The game will ultimately be decided by Rangnick’s tactical flexibility, of which the German has shown nothing so far. If he changes the formation 4-2-2-2 and allows Bruno Fernandes to operate behind the striker, it would give Manchester United a significant boost. However, up to this point we’ve seen a stubbornness from Rangnick, who has asked United to play their way rather than bow to the team’s skill set. Unless that changes, United will continue to fight.
Emiliano Buendía has been an under-the-radar presence in the Premier League this season, and he hasn’t gotten the statistical performance for his big involvement in good attacking play as of late, so this could be the perfect opportunity to lead visitors to victory.
Aston Villa to Win (+400)
Manchester United-Aston Villa 1-2
- Money line: Manchester United -140 / Draw +295 / Aston Villa +400
- Spread (Asian handicap): Manchester United -0.5 (+100) / Aston Villa +0.5 (-110)
- O / U 2.5 total goals: Over -120 / Under +100
- Both teams to score: Yes -130 / No +100