Aston Villa is set to face Manchester United in a Premier League clash, with kick-off scheduled for 2pm BST at Villa Park. Villa will aim to take advantage of United's defensive vulnerabilities, particularly their lack of pace at the back. They will likely focus on outmuscling and outrunning United in midfield. In fact, even a youth team might feel confident about their chances against United's midfield. Expect Leon Bailey to exploit the space left by Diogo Dalot when he moves infield, while Jaden Philogene will look to overpower Noussair Mazraoui. One of the ongoing issues for United, particularly under manager Erik Ten Hag, is their struggle for control in matches. Rasmus Højlund's hold-up play may not be sufficient to help them maintain possession, and the wide players seem more inclined to chase goals rather than support ball retention. This could result in a series of aimless passes that fail to find their target. As the match unfolds, it will be interesting to see how both teams adapt to these dynamics.

In the aftermath of Manchester United's 3-0 defeat to Tottenham, pundit Danny Murphy highlighted key areas of concern for manager Erik Ten Hag. Murphy emphasized that the team's performance was lacking both in possession and defensively, raising alarms about their overall strategy and execution. Murphy pointed out that United struggled to maintain control of the ball, often losing possession in critical areas, which allowed Spurs to capitalize on their mistakes. This inability to effectively manage the game with the ball at their feet was compounded by a disorganized defense that failed to track opponents and maintain shape when out of possession. The former player noted that these issues not only hindered United's attacking potential but also exposed them to counterattacks, leading to a comprehensive defeat. Murphy suggested that Ten Hag must address these fundamental problems quickly to avoid further setbacks in the season. Overall, the performance against Tottenham served as a wake-up call for Manchester United, with Murphy urging the coaching staff to reassess their tactics and instill a stronger sense of discipline and cohesion within the squad.