It's matchday again, already. Today marks the second of four consecutive matches at Old Trafford, spanning until another lunchtime kickoff against Everton next weekend.
It was an entertaining, hard fought 2-1 victory at the London Stadium in the league last weekend. However, United did fall to West Ham in the Carabao Cup in midweek following some admittedly necessary mass rotation from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Despite losing both cup matches so far this season, the reds do remain unbeaten in the Premier League. As a result, United find themselves third - behind only Chelsea and Liverpool on goal difference. It's only the second time they have found themselves unbeaten in the opening five league matches in the last ten years.
There has generally been a marked improvement on home turf in the league so far this season, scoring nine goals in only two matches; United could become only the third team to score at least four goals in their opening three home matches in a Premier League season. Form has certainly improved with goals scored in 15 successive league matches at Old Trafford, though the reds' last seven defeats in the competition have come at home. Conceding today would see United go eight matches without a top-flight clean sheet at home since the 1971/72 season.
Solskjaer has been boosted by Edinson Cavani's availability for the first time since the international break, admitting his excitement at the prospect of his possible partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo. Dean Henderson performed well on his midweek return, though it's almost certain that David de Gea will maintain his starting place; Alex Telles struggled slightly as he stepped back onto the pitch, with the rested Luke Shaw likely to restore his place today. Phil Jones made the midweek squad after an 18 month absence, meaning Amad and Marcus Rashford are the only absentees.
United loanee Axel Tuanzebe in ineligible due to loan clauses, meaning he is unavailable. Summer signing Leon Bailey is out for three weeks with a thigh strain, whilst Morgan Sanson faces up to a month sidelined with a hamstring issue. Matt Targett is a doubt, but John McGinn is available after concussion. Ashley Young makes his Old Trafford return this afternoon.
It has been a topsy-turvy start for Villa this season, finding themselves in a respectable 10th position having lost their superstar Jack Grealish in the summer. They have won twice and lost twice alongside a single draw so far in the league, with both defeats coming on the road. The Villans have lost five of their last eight league matches away from home (failing to keep a clean sheet during that period), with their total of eight losses in 2021 second-worst to Southampton amongst current Premier League sides.
Today's opposition put on a good showing against next weekend's opposition Everton last weekend, convincingly winning 3-0 at Villa Park. The week saw them level with Chelsea at fulltime in their Carabao Cup match, only to fall narrowly short in the resultant penalty shootout.
It was a mediocre 11th place last season for Villa, with United managing the double over the Midlands side. The first victory came at Old Trafford in January, with Bertrand Traore's strike sandwiched by goals from Anthony Martial and Bruno Fernandes. United went one better in the return fixture, scoring three in response to an opener from Traore.
Villa have only beaten United once in their past 45 league meetings, with the victory coming all the way back in December 2009. In fact, the reds have only lost once to Villa in the last 34 competitive home matches - winning 26 times over that period. That bodes well for today.
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