Erik ten Hag is in desperate need of a win as Manchester United travel to the west Midlands to take on Aston Villa this Sunday afternoon.
This could be the Red Devils boss’ final game in charge of the club after talkSPORT reported that his role was safe up until after this match.
Ten Hag needs to win to increase chances of keeping his jobGetty
Man United currently sit in 13th after only winning two of their first six outings and another defeat would surely put Ten Hag on the brink.
His side take on Aston Villa who enjoyed a historic Champions League victory in midweek and come into this game four unbeaten in the top-flight.
Aston Villa vs Man United: Duran Duran
A Jhon Duran goal off the bench has become inevitable.
The 20-year-old has five goals as a substitute in all competitions this season, two more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.
He continued his incredible season so far in midweek by leading Aston Villa to a famous win against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Coming on as a substitute in the second half, he fired in with a quick, powerful strike, beating Manuel Neuer to help secure a 1-0 victory.
On top of it being another goal as a sub, it was also yet another at Villa Park and we can expect more this weekend.
Duran has scored four goals in his last four home appearances in the Premier League, with all of those coming from the bench.
He is averaging a home goal in the top flight every 43 minutes which is the second-best ratio at the same stadium behind ex-Liverpool star Luis Suarez (every 38 minutes at Carrow Road).
Duran can’t stop scoring even with limited minutes
Aston Villa have won just one of their last 25 Premier League home games against Manchester United (D8 L16), with that victory coming in Unai Emery’s first game in charge of the club in November 2022 (3-1).
Manchester United have won 40 Premier League games against Aston Villa, with only the Red Devils themselves beating an opponent more often in the competition’s history (41 vs Everton).
Aston Villa vs Man United: Predicted line-ups
Villa didn’t rotate much for the win over Bayern and that could lead to some switches for Emery in this clash.
Amadou Onana was subbed with a knock and is therefore now a doubt in midfield, with Ross Barkley likely to replace him alongside Youri Tielemans.
John McGinn is out injured and won’t play a part.
Emiliano Martinez took over captaincy from McGinn and he is set to keep that role while Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Diego Carlos are likely to start in defence.
Lucas Digne may be rested after two games in quick succession, with Ian Maatsen waiting in the wings to come in at left-back.
Morgan Rogers will continue his hot streak while Leon Bailey could come in to replace Jacob Ramsey who may have picked up an injury in midweek.
Duran scored yet again off the bench, proving why he should possibly be considered for a starting spot up front.
But that’s unlikely to happen with Ollie Watkins also hitting form in recent weeks.
As for United, Bruno Fernandes is available to play after he had his straight red card against Tottenham rescinded.
The captain will be featuring in midfield and is likely to be joined by Kobbie Mainoo and summer signing Manuel Ugarte.
In goal, Andre Onana is certain to keep his place while Diogo Dalot is doing well as a stand-in left-back in the absence of Luke Shaw.
Shaw is still not fit to return but may make a comeback after the international break while Leny Yoro and Tyrell Malacia remain sidelined too.
Noussair Mazraoui will be at right-back and completing the defence will likely be Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs De Ligt, with Harry Maguire on the bench.
Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho will want to start out wide but Amad Diallo could take either of their positions.
Up front, Joshua Zirkzee could continue but he’s struggling to make an impact and Rasmus Hojlund is back fit, so Ten Hag may look to him to score some goals.
Aston Villa have picked up 13 points in their opening six Premier League matches this season (W4 D1 L1), their best start to a season since 2008-09 under Martin O’Neill (also 13 points).
Manchester United have lost eight Premier League matches by a margin of three or more goals under Erik ten Hag. Since the start of 2022-23, the only current Premier League managers to suffer more 3+ goal defeats are Gary O’Neil and Sean Dyche (9 each).
Aston Villa vs Man United: What has been said?
Man United boss Ten Hag is refusing to worry about the mounting pressure surrounding his future with the Red Devils.
He said: “Nothing is easy, but this is nothing for me to panic about because I experienced it so often with my teams during seasons that you are facing those problems.
“So, we can sort them out, this team can sort this out. When it’s in an individual area, we can sort those problems out.”
He continued: “Once you are a manager and especially when you are a manager of Manchester United, you know everyone will judge you.
“Much more than any other club, so you have to deal with criticism and don’t make a big deal of it.
“Focus on the things where you are supposed to do and that is managing the team, get the best of the team and don’t focus on negative opinions of you as a person.
“That doesn’t help the process. I am here to win so I have to show to my team that I give the direction and keep going in that direction we all want to go.”
The Man United boss doesn’t seem phased by the pressureGetty
Since Unai Emery’s first Premier League game in charge of Aston Villa, only Man City (85), Liverpool (84) and Arsenal (81) have picked up more home points than Villa (74). Among Villa managers to take charge of five or more home top-flight matches, only European Cup-winning manager Tony Barton (70%, won 37/53) has a better home win percentage than Emery (66%, won 23/35).
Manchester United have lost eight Premier League matches by a margin of three or more goals under Erik ten Hag. Since the start of 2022-23, the only current Premier League managers to suffer more 3+ goal defeats are Gary O’Neil and Sean Dyche (9 each).
Aston Villa vs Man United: How to follow
This Premier League clash will take place on Sunday, October 6.
Kick-off at Villa Park is scheduled for 2pm.
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
You can sign up to Sky Sports HERE, or begin a membership with Now TV and buy a day pass for just £14.99. More details can be found HERE.
talkSPORT will also keep you up to date on all the goals as they go in on the Sunday Session with Sam Matterface.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Meanwhile, talkSPORT.com has you covered in our dedicated Premier League live blog.
