Erik ten Hag has never been closer to being sacked as Manchester United boss, so it’s to his credit that he’s never looked calmer either. After that punishing 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham last week, he vowed to “make a success” of the season. Then his players nearly blew a 2-0 lead to FC Porto in the Europa League and were staring at another dismal defeat before Harry Maguire rescued a 3-3 draw.
Still, Ten Hag’s resolve is unwavering. “Don’t judge us in this moment,” he said. “Judge us at the end of the season.” Ten Hag might not make it until the end of the season, but at least it looks like his players are finally fighting for him.
United easily could have capitulated again — just as they did against Spurs — after going 3-2 down against Porto and seeing Bruno Fernandes sent off for the second straight game. Instead, they dug their claws in and defied the critics who say Ten Hag has lost the dressing room.
Last week they were devoid of desire, organisation and a clear game plan. Everything about this side still feels chaotic but thanks to their late show of heart in Portugal, Ten Hag lives to see another day as he prepares to face Aston Villa this weekend.
There had been speculation that Ten Hag would be given two games to save his job. After one draw in the bank, United now come up against an in-form Villa team who have just defeated German giants Bayern Munich — who were unbeaten this season and flying in the Bundesliga. Munich’s previous match in Europe was a 9-2 victory over Dinamo Zagreb, yet Villa made Harry Kane and Co look ordinary.
Of all the games Ten Hag could have hand-picked this weekend, Aston Villa away would have been far down the list. Manager Unai Emery has forged an exciting team at Villa Park that has won four of their first six games, scoring 12. Villa have forward duo Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins in top form too, with the pair netting nine between them so far. That’s four more than United have scored as an entire team.
Everything suggests United will get a hiding at Villa, yet history remains kind to the Red Devils in this fixture. Villa have only beaten United five times in Premier League history and have lost 40 times — including defeat in the last four meetings.
For this game, Rasmus Hojlund could be involved after starting against Porto and getting 68 minutes under his belt. Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo are doubts after failing to appear in midweek, but Maguire bounced back from an injury to score the equaliser and should be in the squad again. For Villa, Tyrone Mings, Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara are still being assessed after missing the Bayern game. Emery said midfield trio Jacob Ramsey, Amadou Onana and Leon Bailey are also injury doubts for this match.
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Aston Villa vs Manchester United odds
Odds from BetFair and update live.
Venue: Villa Park — Birmingham
Time: 2 p.m. BST (9 a.m. ET), Sunday
Form guide (league only)
Aston Villa: 4-1-1, 13 points (5th) | Last five: D-W-W-W-L
Manchester United: 2-1-3, 7 points (13th) | Last five: L-D-W-L-L
Match prediction
Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester United
This game will be the ultimate proof of how much the United players back their manager and I think they will continue to put up a fight, though three points might be a step too far. While Villa are a team to fear, Ten Hag’s side have shown they know how to bounce back and showed that to some extent against Porto. You should always fear a wounded animal and it would be a shock if United surrendered in the same way they did against Tottenham.
More Premier League reading
Premier League predicted line-ups: Who do our writers think will start in Gameweek 7?
How Porto prised open further cracks in Manchester United’s fragile defence
Manchester United hierarchy to meet on Tuesday after Ratcliffe watches Ten Hag’s side play Aston Villa
(Photo of Ollie Watkins: Michael Steele / Getty Images)
