'Too big a risk': Ten Hag confirms United star is doubtful to face Aston Villa on Sunday
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has provided an injury update ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa on the road.
The Red Devils went winless for the fourth game running following a 3-3 draw against Porto in the Europa League.
The club raced into a 2-0 lead at the Estadio do Dragao, but squandered the advantage before the half-time interval.
Porto went ahead shortly after the break, but United managed to salvage a draw with a late Harry Maguire goal.
United now face Villa away from home and it appears a must-win to avoid losing further ground in the top four race.
The club are six points behind the Champions League places and the gap could extend up to nine with another loss.
Ahead of the game, the manager has revealed that it was ‘too big a risk’ to play Kobbie Mainoo against Porto yesterday.
The young midfielder was nursing a minor hamstring issue. He travelled with the team, but did not make the matchday squad.
Ten Hag has revealed that the graduate will be assessed to find out whether he is fit enough to start or feature on the bench.
He told Manutd.com: “Harry Maguire, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. Harry and Alejandro made the squad and were capable to play some minutes, whereas Mainoo didn’t make it.
“It was too big a risk. We have to wait and see if he [Mainoo] can play on Sunday. If he is fit enough to start or be on the bench.”
United have a tremendous recent record against Villa with four straight wins including a terrific comeback triumph at home last season.
Despite this, they will go into the weekend game as underdogs, given Villa are coming off a stunning victory over Bayern in the Champions League.
This could be a good thing in our view. United tend to fare best when the expectations are less and they have the chance to return to winning ways.
Hopefully, the manager will make the right selections. We would like to see Alejandro Garnacho starting ahead of Amad Diallo on the right wing.
Harry Maguire should get the nod over Matthijs de Ligt in defence while it seems a no-brainer to start Manuel Ugarte ahead of Casemiro in midfield.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com