After failing late in the second half to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, Manchester United turned their game around and put in a positive showing, advancing past West Ham United and booking their ticket to Wembley to square off against Everton.
Louis van Gaal’s men must first turn their attention to bottom of the table Aston Villa in a match that will surely have United excited this weekend. Villa are coming off a disheartening 2-1 loss to Bournemouth and with relegation looming for them, United will hope to capitalize on their poor foes.
Old Trafford will be the location for this encounter where United will hope to get back to their winning ways in the League and still hang on to their goal of Champions League football next season.
Here is the strongest possible Manchester United Lineup against Aston Villa –
Goalkeeper
David de Gea excelled for United and once again saved van Gaal’s job for yet another week by providing a masterclass performance against West Ham. He made some wonderful saves late in the FA Cup replay and should see a bit less action this time at home against a minnow like Villa.
Defence
Chris Smalling and Daley Blind kept Andy Carroll quiet for the majority of the match but a late Carroll header which assisted on the lone West Ham goal kept this consistent duo from obtaining a clean sheet for the United defence. Both read the game so well and will certainly be in the middle of the defence once again.
The backs on the day will most certainly be Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Marcos Rojo, just as they were at Upton Park. Fosu-Mensah continues to impress while Rojo still has some work to do in order to live up to his billing as starting left back for the Argentinian national team.
Midfield
Marouane Fellaini scored the game winner and quite possibly played his best match of the season against West Ham, but he should make his way back to the bench in order for Morgan Schneiderlin to partner with Michael Carrick in the defensive midfield. Carrick has been average as of late but with so many veterans injured, van Gaal will need the Englishman in his side this weekend.
Juan Mata, not known for his physicality made way for Ander Herrera to combat the solid Hammers but with a needed rest, Mata should return and be joined by Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard in the attacking midfield. Martial continues to be inventive on the left side of the attack and although he did not get on the score sheet this time against the Hammers, his pace and dribbling tested the defence.
Attack
Marcus Rashford’s finish to get the United attack on the board was an absolute beauty and with the youngster full of confidence and continuing to excel, he’ll certainly start once again even though captain, Wayne Rooney made his return late in the second half. Look for Rooney to make a substitute appearance for either Rashford, Lingard, or Mata in the second half this weekend.
(4-2-3-1)
Via – Lineup Builder
