In a dramatic twist of
fate, Manchester United, plagued by their worst pre-Christmas results in 93
years, is gearing up to host a challenging Boxing Day encounter at Old Trafford
against title-contending Aston Villa.
The Red Devils'
struggles continued in a disheartening 2-0 defeat to West Ham United over the
weekend. In contrast, Aston Villa, known for their impressive home winning
streak, faced an unexpected halt with a surprising 1-1 draw against Sheffield
United.
Manchester United is
hopeful for the return of Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial from illness,
which may prompt Erik ten Hag to give young talent Willy Kambwala some rest.
Diogo Dalot is also likely to make a return to the squad after serving a
one-game ban. However, key players such as Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof, and
Harry Maguire remain sidelined due to injuries.
Aston Villa's defensive
pillar, Pau Torres, is expected to feature despite nursing an ankle injury.
However, suspensions will keep Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara out of the
lineup, while Youri Tielemans may miss the match due to a calf problem.
Manchester United's
recent clash with West Ham at the London Stadium left both home and away
supporters wanting, as the first half failed to produce any goals. However, the
final whistle painted a different picture as former Red Devils boss David Moyes
celebrated a cheerful Christmas after West Ham secured a 2-0 victory. This
defeat marked Manchester United's eighth top-flight loss and their 13th overall
before December 25, a situation not witnessed since the 1930-31 season when the
club faced relegation.
Amidst a four-game
scoreless streak and a series of defeats, Manchester United's struggles have
been accentuated by their failure to find the net since their victory over
Chelsea on December 6. Despite displaying defensive resilience in a commendable
goalless draw against Liverpool, Ten Hag's team has struggled to translate it
into consistent success.
Old Trafford, once an
impervious fortress, has witnessed a shift in fortunes, with Manchester United
succumbing to defeats in four of their last seven top-flight home fixtures
since August 2023. However, the Red Devils boast a remarkable record of 21
Boxing Day wins in the Premier League, adding an intriguing layer of
anticipation to their upcoming clash with Aston Villa.
As the two teams lock
horns on Boxing Day, Manchester United will be desperate to turn their fortunes
around and deliver a performance that reignites their season, while Aston Villa
aims to maintain their title challenge with a statement victory at Old Trafford.