Erik ten Hag will hope to find a remedy for Manchester United’s poor recent performances when they host Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
The Red Devils suffered their 13th defeat of the season in all competitions on Saturday as they were downed 2-0 by West Ham at London Stadium and Tuesday’s fixture with Villa will be no more straightforward.
The Dutch manager has had injuries to contend with all campaign long but he must find a way to make Man Utd threatening in attack again, having failed to score in their last four games.
Here’s the starting XI he could deploy at Old Trafford.
GK: Andre Onana – Will soon depart for AFCON and a few sturdy performances should mean he reclaims his place in goal when the tournament finishes.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka – Will hope for an eighth league start of the season here, though Diogo Dalot is available again after his controversial red card at Liverpool.
CB: Willy Kambwala – With Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof all injured and Raphael Varane nowhere to be seen in the matchday squad on Saturday, Kambwala made his first senior start for United and could be in line for another here. It would be his first at Old Trafford.
CB: Jonny Evans – Is being run into the ground somewhat after signing in the summer as emergency cover. Things would be even bleaker right now without the veteran Northern Irishman.
LB: Luke Shaw – Has admitted he isn’t sure why Man Utd are struggling in front of goal of late. Is yet to score or assist himself in the Premier League this season.
CM: Scott McTominay – Earned United their last win by scoring twice against Chelsea but he and his teammates have been goalless in the four games since.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo – Provides more of a controlling presence compared to the erratic running of Sofyan Amrabat, though Christian Eriksen’s return will make the fight for a starting XI spot more challenging for the 18-year-old.
RW: Marcus Rashford – He may be out of form and lacking in confidence but Man Utd have looked no sharper in the final third without Rashford, who hasn’t started a game since the defeat at Newcastle earlier this month.
AM: Bruno Fernandes – Couldn’t prise the West Ham defence open with his creativity on Saturday, having picked up his sixth booking of the league season just after half-time.
LW: Alejandro Garnacho – His purple patch of form is firmly over after scoring against Everton and Galatasaray, but Garnacho still provides enough energy to warrant inclusion over some of Ten Hag’s other options.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund – It’s now 14 games without a Premier League goal for Hojlund, who lasted just under an hour before being replaced at London Stadium.
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