Aston Villa vs Man Utd: Predicted lineup today and confirmed team news

Mainoo in contention to start the game at Villa Park (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United will begin a run of games without Bryan Mbeumo , Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui against Aston Villa this afternoon.

The trio are now officially on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Morocco respectively, leaving Ruben Amorim with a big problem to solve down the right.

To add to his woes, United will also be without Casemiro this afternoon with the Brazil international serving a one-match suspension.

It has been another week where Kobbie Mainoo’s future has dominated the headlines but Casemiro’s absence does open up a space in midfield alongside Bruno Fernandes.

Manuel Ugarte could be considered a more natural replacement for the former Real Madrid star but he himself has endured a woeful campaign , unimpressive when called upon this term with his future at the club also in doubt.

Amorim has a huge call to make in midfield with key personnel still missing at the back in Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.

Amorim demonstrated against Bournemouth he is prepared to tweak his 3-4-3 formation, utilising a back four for the first time since his arrival in Manchester against the Cherries.

Casemiro is suspended this afternoon (Picture: Getty)

Having already stressed the need to ‘adapt’ without Mbeumo and Amad, more tweaks could follow today.

In terms of replacements, Mason Mount’s improving form should see him come in for Mbeumo while Benjamin Sesko returned from a knee injury in the second-half on Monday night.

The Slovenian international did look tentative on the ball at times but made his own contribution after being heavily involved in Matheus Cunha’s goal.

United have missed a leading presence up top with Sesko surely in contention to start today.

While all the focus could be on Mainoo, Sunday presents another United outcast with the chance to revive his career at Old Trafford. Ugarte has been a disappointment since his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain; even his reunion with Amorim has done little to lift his fortunes in Manchester.

With just two league starts this term, Casemiro’s absence opens the door for him.

There is a real possibility of Amorim making major changes to his system today.