Manchester United vs Aston Villa: Team News & Predicted Lineup

Old Trafford is braced for a pivotal Premier League encounter on Sunday as Manchester United welcome Aston Villa, with both sides desperate for momentum at opposite ends of the table. Interim boss Michael Carrick’s men are aiming to erase the memory of their first defeat under his watch—a setback at Newcastle—while Villa hope to halt a three-match league slide despite mid-week European relief.

Team News: Carrick’s Boosts and Blows

Speaking to media on Friday, Carrick delivered a mixed injury bulletin. Mason Mount rejoined first-team training, but the midfielder is still short of full sharpness after an extended lay-off. “Mason’s back with the group, which is fantastic,” Carrick said, before cautioning, “He’s not, you know, 100 per cent in terms of back because he’s only trained a very small amount of time.”

Right-back Noussair Mazraoui, withdrawn early against Newcastle as a precaution, trained normally this week and is expected to be available. The same cannot be said for defensive trio Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorgu and Lisandro Martínez, who remain sidelined.

Predicted Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Evans, Amass; Ugarte, Mainoo; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Højlund.

Bench options include Altay Bayındır, Mazraoui, young defenders Sonny Heaven and James Kukonki, Manuel Ugarte, Toby Fletcher, Benjamin Šeško, Joshua Zirkzee, and Ethan Lacey.

Villa’s Returning Figures

Unai Emery’s squad received a timely lift in northern France on Thursday when captain John McGinn stepped off the bench for the final 13 minutes of Villa’s 1-0 Europa League win at Lille, signalling his return from injury. Right-back Matty Cash is also nearing a comeback; Emery confirmed, “Matty Cash is progressing well and tomorrow we’ll see if he can be with us on Sunday or not.”

Midfielders Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara are still unavailable, while on-loan winger Jadon Sancho is ineligible to face his parent club.

Predicted Aston Villa XI (4-4-2): Martínez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Bailey, McGinn, Onana, Rogers; Watkins, Duran.

Among the substitutes Emery can call upon are goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, Victor Lindelöf (if registered), Tyrone Mings, Cash, Ian Maatsen, Ross Barkley, Álex García, Alysson, and Tammy Abraham.

Form and History

Villa edged the reverse fixture 2-1 on 21 December 2025, a result that ended United’s long unbeaten start to the campaign. Bookmakers make the hosts 4/6 favourites to gain revenge, with Villa priced at 10/3 to complete a league double.

With European places on the line, Sunday’s clash promises more than just bragging rights; it could shape the top-six landscape heading into the season’s final third.