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At this point, Manchester United supporters can be excused if they are not overly positive about the idea of facing even a team beset with injury concerns.

Tottenham Hotspur were without their captain and star forward Heung-Min Son but still cruised to a 3-0 win at Old Trafford last time out.

So, as long as Erik ten Hag persists with a puzzling tactical set-up which serves to undermine his player’s strengths and expose their weaknesses, even an Aston Villa outfit missing a number of key players still represent extremely daunting opposition.

After conceding six goals in their last two outings, Manchester United travel to Villa Park to face a team who bloodied the noses of Bayern Munich in the Champions League four days earlier.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Unai Emery has confirmed that three star performers – Leon Bailey, Jacob Ramsley and the once-Manchester United linked Amadou Onana – are all facing a race against time to be included in the matchday squad.

Not that it will matter in the end, providing United continue to defend like they have done of late.

Aston Villa could be Amadou Onana and co against Manchester United

“Both are now doubts,” says Emery, the winger and the midfielder having been subbed off with problems in that famous win over Bayern Munich.

“I don’t know if they will be available on Sunday. so, so tight if they are available on Sunday. We will need every player.

“Tomorrow, we are going to train, but today they are doubtful.”

Ramsey scored as Aston Villa kick-started the Emery era with a 3-1 win over Ten Hag’s Manchester United in late-2022. His ball-carrying, box-crashing talents are two attributes the Red Devils would be certain to struggle with.

Bailey, meanwhile, possesses the speed and the trickery to exploit the wide open spaces Ten Hag’s system leaves in the full-back positions.

Man United, at least, may avoid the added humiliation of seeing their midfield bossed by a player the Red Devils could – and perhaps should – have signed in a £50 million deal from Everton before Manuel Ugarte arrived in the North West.

Onana has heavily linked with United up until he put pen to paper with Aston Villa, and has started life in the Midlands in outstanding fashion.

Unai Emery faces difficult decision in potential Erik ten Hag farewell

Emery is not ruling out Onana entirely, however.

In fact, he is positive that the former Lille youngster will have a part to play against United, albeit maybe only from the bench. Then again, whether Onana can play in his condition – and whether he really should – is a dilemma Emery must face.

“He is a doubt,” Emery says of Onana, the towering Belgian one of Villa’s outstanding performers during a terrific start to 2024/25. “But I think he will be available because it is not a really serious injury.

“But, playing matches during the week and on the weekends, we have to be clinical in our decisions for the next match.

“Even last year when we played in the Conference , I have to identify as well – if I can – some changes better moments for other players who are ready to play.”

While the contrasting reports on Ten Hag’s future have further clouded an already uncertain situation, another heavy defeat to a so-called Champions League rival could spell the end of the Dutchman’s two-and-a-bit year spell in the Manchester United dugout.

Man United are reportedly considering Thomas Tuchel again. United have allegedly offered the job to Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi too.

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