Aston Villa boss wary of Manchester United trio with one ‘very dangerous’

Add as preferred source on Google

Unai Emery has namechecked Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Casemiro as three of Manchester United’s dangermen ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Isn’t it typical of one of football’s deepest-thinkers that, ahead of a potentially decisive clash between two clubs with Champions League ambitions, Emery opted to single out not Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes nor even the in-form Rasmus Hojlund.

Instead, the Aston Villa boss highlighted the threat posed by Manchester United’s two full-backs, not to mention the defensive midfielder who could be integral to disrupting the hosts rhythm in the centre of the park.

Manchester United travel to Aston Villa

“On Sunday, we’re going to play a different match against Manchester United,” Emery, who’s Villa side have lost two in a row at home after going unbeaten on their own turf for 12 months, tells the club’s official website.

“They are recovering some very important players. One of them is Casemiro.

“Luke Shaw is very dangerous and Diogo Dalot is in a good moment. Casemiro is a very important player for them. They have very good wingers and strikers and that is my concern.

“The most important thing for me, individually and collectively, as a coach is to prepare trying to stop them.”

Emery is also keen to stop United’s attacks at source, their second goal in that 4-3 win at Wolves proof of just how effective they can be when flitting through the thirds, Hojlund finishing off a flowing move started by one of Andre Onana’s trademark chipped passes from the back.

Unai Emery wary of Andre Onana’s distribution

“My concern and analysis of them is trying to understand their gameplan,” the former Arsenal boss adds. “To understand their qualities, collectively and individually.”

“We have to try to stop them, starting with the goalkeeper because his build-up is fantastic. Their centre-backs like to play, building up and controlling ball possession, trying to get good combinations on the pitch.”

Man United go to Villa Park in perhaps their best run of form this season. And, with an eight point gap between themselves and their hosts in fourth spot, this feels like a potentially make-or-break clash in Erik ten Hag’s hopes of securing Champions League football again in 2024/25.