Manchester United host Aston Villa at Old Trafford tomorrow night in a Carabao Cup third-round tie.
It’ll be the second meeting in the space of five days between the two sides after Villa beat Erik ten Hag‘s side 3-1 win at Villa Park on Sunday, in what was Unai Emery’s first game in charge of the Villains.
The League Cup tie will be the Red Devils 12th game since the start of October.
Come Sunday’s Premier League trip to Craven Cottage to face promoted side Fulham, the twenty-time league champions will have played 13 matches across 42 days.
With several of United’s squad likely to be feeling a tad weary following an unforgiving schedule, United in Focus takes a look at three players Ten Hag must be considering resting vs Villa.
Three Manchester United players Erik ten Hag must be considering resting vs Aston Villa
Lisandro Martinez
United’s number six wasn’t at his usual Rolls-Royce best at Villa Park and the 24-year-old looked a little fatigued.
The Argentine international has featured in all 19 of United’s matches this season, 18 of which have been starts.
With Fulham having a week off to prepare for Sunday’s clash, United need our aggressive South American leader to be at his commanding and dominating best ahead of his potential battle with Cottagers talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic.
With Ten Hag able to call up captain Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, the nine-time Argentina international could start tomorrow night’s clash against Villa and be used for emergencies only.
Casemiro
The five-time Champions League winner has started ten of our last 11 matches and with the former Ajax manager able to freshen up his midfield with the likes of Scott McTominay and Fred coming into the side, United’s number 18 could be given the night off.
Defeat to Villa on Sunday was United’s first in the Premier League when Casemiro has started.
But with Christian Eriksen, Donny van de beek and Bruno Fernandes all available, the former Real Madrid man may have to wait to make his Carabao Cup debut like Martinez.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Since being reintegrated into the side after refusing to come on against Tottenham Hotspur and leaving Old Trafford early, the 37-year-old has played the full 90 minutes in all four of United’s last four matches.
Four full games in 11 days is a lot for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and with Anthony Martial marking his return against Villa, bringing the Frenchman in for Portugal’s captain makes sense.
United’s number seven hasn’t played in the League Cup for over 13 years.
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