This week’s match day see’s Manchester United travel to Villa Park in what is the first Friday fixture of the season. Both teams kicked off their campaigns with 1-0 wins over their opponents and so it will be interesting to see how this match pans out.
Analysis
Aston Villa kicked off their Premier League campaign with a steel 1-0 win over Premier League newcomers Bournemouth. The Villa, have definitely improved under the management of Tim Sherwood, and the Englishman has managed to add a sense of fluidity when going forward, something Villa fans struggled to see under Paul Lambert. Villa will certainly need to be on top of their game as the club haven’t beat Manchester United at Villa Park since 19th August 1995 (League fixtures).
The opening day of the season saw Manchester United beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in what can only be described as a dry performance. A win against one of the top sides in the Premier League is nothing to moan about, however Van Gaal will know that performances will need to improve if United are to keep a consistent run of form. United head into the game as favourites, and this comes as no surprise, having taken 107 out of a possible 138 points off Aston Villa.
Team News
Aston Villa
The home team will be without both Carles Gil and Jack Grealish who are unable to start due to a lack of match fitness. Okore (knee), Jose Angel Crespo (knee) and Gardner (ankle) will all miss the fixture.
Manchester United
United will be Without Phil Jones who is ill with ‘mild thromboses, as well as Marouane Fellaini who continues his suspension having been sent off in last season’s final game at Hull City.
Team Selection
Following last week’s win over Spurs, there were both positive and negative factors to the way in which Manchester United played. One thing which impressed me most about United’s performance was there willingness to press the ball. There were times last season when this would have been unheard of, and teams were able to run at United with space and time. Against Spurs however, United’s pressing meant that there was very little space for the opposition to manoeuvre and this meant that key players such as Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane were oblivious for large parts of the match. One thing which worried me a little was how slowly Manchester United moved the ball. Using the obvious examples of Real Madrid and Barcelona, players take 1 or 2 touches before passing the ball, allowing for them to break down teams quickly and efficiently. However, when watching United I noticed that players would take more touches than need in the oppositions half, slowing down the overall play and making it easier for the opposition to mark the runs of United players. With this said I think it is important for Van Gaal picked a team with both a balanced midfield and attack.
In terms of my starting eleven the problems begin right from the back. On Thursday evening Van Gaal confirmed that he will not be starting against as he doesn’t think he can rely on the Spaniard who has been queuing up a move to Real Madrid over the summer. With this said I think Romero will continue on from his spell in goal. In terms of defenders I expect Darmian to continue on from his impressive display against Spurs, at right back. I also expect both Chris Smalling and Daley Blind to continue their reign at centre-back, with the former having played a potential Man of the Match performance. At Left-back Luke Shaw will look to solidify his favoured position.
In terms of midfield there is a lot of competition for places with the arrival of both Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger, and so it has become increasingly difficult to predict who will start. However, I predict that Van Gaal will continue with Michael Carrick and Morgan Schneiderlin at the base of the midfield. After Michael Carrick came off against Spurs, Manchester United seemed to lose the control over the midfield and Tottenham began to press the United defence. Having both Carrick and Schneiderlin in the holding roles offers a solid base for the midfield which can act as a shield for the defence.
In terms of wingers I would like to see Memphis Depay replace Ashley Young as the role of the left winger. Last season the Dutchman scored 22 goals playing in that position, and the twenty-one year old offers a lot more quality than the Englishman. On the right-wing I expect Juan Mata to keep his place. Behind the striker, I would like to see Ander Herrera make an appearance, not just because I love him, but the Spaniard does offer an overall quality that many players lack. Herrera is able to both attack and defend and his ability to link up with the midfield and attack allows for a much more fluid system.
At striker I think there is only one real option Manchester United have and that is Wayne Rooney. The United captain has scored more goals against Villa (13) than any other team, an omen he will certainly look to carry on.
Prediction
The first away game of the season is always a hard one, however I can see Manchester United walking away victors with a hard fought 2-1 win.
James Bingham
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