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After a dramatic 3-3 draw with Porto in the Europa League, Manchester United are now set to take on Aston Villa this weekend.
Already the pressure around manager Erik ten Hag is mounting, with the United bosses meeting next week to discuss the operational aspects of the club. After a run of poor performances by ten Hag’s men dating back to last season, time could be up for the Dutchman at Old Trafford.
It was previously reported that ten Hag had the Porto and Villa fixtures to get better results to save his job. However, with United throwing a 2-0 lead to then draw with Porto, even more pressure sits on the match-up with The Villains.
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As if this wasn’t pressure enough, ten Hag could also go into the game, missing as many as five of his key players.
Manchester United’s missing men for Aston Villa fixture
United are still suffering from three long-term injuries in the form of Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Leny Yoro.
The trio of defenders have been out for some time now, leaving United without a natural left-back. Ten Hag has been relying on right-back Diogo Dalot to cover the left-back position since last season. With the lack of a natural left-back available in the squad, it came as a surprise that one wasn’t recruited over the summer.
Meanwhile, Yoro joined The Red Devils in the summer and unfortunately suffered a broken metatarsal in his first pre-season tour game against Arsenal ruling him out of the start of the season.
However, United also has two midfielders with concerns about whether they’ll be ready for the Aston Villa game.
Mason Mount came on for an injured Kobbie Mainoo in their match-up with Tottenham Hotspur, before coming off himself with a head injury.
Speaking after the Porto game, ten Hag said: ” We had three players with issues going into this (Porto) game. Harry Maguire, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.”
He continued: “Harry Maguire and Alejandro made the squad and they were capable of playing some minutes. Kobbie Mainoo didn’t make it. It was too big a risk. We have to wait and see if he can play on Sunday if he’s fit enough to start or be on the bench.”
Whilst the situation with Mount has been confirmed as not being concussion, it’s unsure whether he’ll be available for this weekend.
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