Ruben Amorim must navigate a severe injury crisis in Manchester United’s defense as they prepare to face a high-flying Aston Villa side led by an in-form Ollie Watkins.
Manchester United travel to Villa Park on Sunday seeking to stabilize a defensive line that has conceded 15 goals in their last five outings.
New head coach Ruben Amorim faces a significant selection crisis following a chaotic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
With Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire sidelined, and Noussair Mazraoui’s availability limited by international commitments, United must rely on a makeshift unit to contain one of the league’s most clinical attacks.
Aston Villa enter the fixture as favorites, sitting in fifth place and boasting a formidable home record under Unai Emery.
Striker Ollie Watkins, who has scored five goals in his last four appearances, is expected to lead the line alongside Morgan Rogers.
Emery’s side has shown remarkable tactical consistency, and a victory against the Red Devils would significantly bolster their aspirations for a Champions League spot as the busy festive period continues.
Despite the defensive turmoil, Amorim remains optimistic about his team’s attacking output, which saw them score four times in their previous match.
However, the manager acknowledged the difficulty of the task ahead, stating, “We have to be more compact because Aston Villa are a team that punishes every mistake you make.”
United must find a way to balance their offensive flair with newfound structural discipline to avoid another high-scoring setback on the road.