Serious strain is mounting on Manchester United supervisor Erik ten Hag after one other limp efficiency noticed the Red Devils overwhelmed 2-0 by West Ham on Saturday.
According to the FlashScore website, Manchester United have now gone 4 successive matches with out scoring for the primary time since November 1992 (D1, L3), and can kick off on Boxing Day eight factors adrift of the Premier League top-four, so enhancements are wanted rapidly.
And it’s clear to see the place they need to be prioritised, as solely basement boys Sheffield United have scored fewer objectives than the Red Devils’ measly 18 within the Premier League to this point.
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Further toothlessness in entrance of aim would depart them susceptible to a 3rd consecutive dwelling defeat for the primary time this century, though confidence can maybe be drawn from their pair of hed-to-head victories over Aston Villa at Old Trafford final season.
Unai Emery’s males journey to Manchester having squandered the prospect to sit high of the Premier League at Christmas for the primary time since 1998, with Aston Villa left pissed off by a 1-1 draw towards Sheffield United.
Irrespective of that setback, the guests are unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions (W7, D3) and have scored precisely twice in every of their final three Premier League away matches (W2, D1).
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This is a fixture that, regardless of the membership’s respective standings this time period, should concern the Aston Villa devoted as they’ve gained simply two of the final 24 head-to-heads in all competitions (D5, L17).
No facet in Premier League historical past has overwhelmed Aston Villa greater than Manchester United (38), whereas Emery has misplaced six of his 12 managerial head-to-heads towards the Red Devils (W3, D3), though a type of victories got here in his first recreation as Aston Villa boss – a 3-1 win at Villa Park final season.
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Kick-off is at 22:00 (SA time).
Players to watch
With Manchester United’s ahead line misfiring, Marcus Rashford could also be in line for a recall. He scored because the Red Devils knocked Aston Villa out of the League Cup final season, whereas he additionally bagged the aim that confirmed the guests’ relegation again in 2016.
Aston Villa winger Moussa Diaby has scored contained in the opening quarter-hour twice this season, however he’s with out a Premier League aim since late October.
Hot stat
Manchester United’s 13 losses in all competitions this season is their highest such whole at Christmas since 1930/31, once they’d misplaced 16!
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