Both Manchester United and Aston Villa will have players unavailable through injury for Sunday’s Premier League clash.
United travel to Villa Park for their final match before the October international break. The Reds will be looking to go into the two-week hiatus with all three points in the Premier League for the first time since the 3-0 win over Southampton on September 14.
Erik ten Hag has been forced to deal with injury concerns throughout the campaign, and that looks set to continue with the trip to the West Midlands. Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia all remain unavailable for United, having yet to feature for United this season.
Yoro suffered a fractured metatarsal during pre-season and has yet to make his competitive debut since his summer arrival from Lille. Shaw is continuing his recovery from a calf injury, while Malacia is moving closer to a return from a long-term knee injury.
Kobbie Mainoo missed the draw with Porto in midweek with a fitness concern after being withdrawn in the first half of last week’s defeat to Spurs. Mainoo took part in training in Portugal on Friday, though, and Ten Hag said a decision would need to be made on the midfielder’s fitness.
“Kobbie Mainoo didn’t make it [vs Porto],” Ten Hag told reporters this week. “It was too big 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.”
Mason Mount was also not involved in the clash at the Estadio do Dragao on Thursday night after suffering a head injury against Tottenham. It remains to be seen if the midfielder will recover in time to feature in the matchday squad for the clash against Unai Emery’s team.
Villa will also have players missing through injury, with club captain John McGinn sidelined with a hamstring issue. McGinn has missed Villa’s last three matches in all competitions and is not expected to return until after the international break.
The win over Bayern Munich also saw Villa handed three more injury concerns. Jacob Ramsey, Leon Bailey and Amadou Onana are all doubts to face United on Sunday, although Onana is the more likely of the trio to recover in time to feature against the Reds.
Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings both remain on the sidelines for Villa with long-term knee injuries.