TEAM NEWS
Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot is available again having served a one-match ban.
Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane could both return after illness, but this game is likely to come too soon for Harry Maguire.
Aston Villa defender Pau Torres might be fit despite continuing to nurse an ankle injury.
Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara are both suspended, while a calf problem is likely to keep Youri Tielemans out.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Manchester United have won 38 of their 56 Premier League games against Aston Villa, drawing 13 and losing five.
- Villa have two wins from their previous four Premier League meetings with United, which is as many as they had mustered in their previous 51 against them (D12, L37).
Manchester United
- Manchester United could lose three successive games at Old Trafford for the first time since October 1962 under Sir Matt Busby.
- Erik ten Hag’s side have lost four of their last seven home league games, winning the other three.
- United have lost 13 matches in all competitions this season, their most defeats before Christmas since 1930.
- The Red Devils have also failed to score in four successive games in all competitions for the first time since November 1992.
- United are unbeaten in their past 19 Boxing Day games at Old Trafford (W16, D3), a run dating back to 1978.
- No English side has won more league games on 26 December than Manchester United’s 53.
- Scott McTominay has scored four of United’s 10 Premier League goals at Old Trafford this season and he’s the only player to score more than once for the Red Devils at home in the top flight.
- Rasmus Hojlund has failed to score in all 16 domestic appearances for United.
Aston Villa
- Aston Villa are on a 10-match unbeaten run in all competitions (W7, D3), last losing away to Nottingham Forest at the start of November.
- Unai Emery’s side have picked up seven points from their last nine available on the road.
- Villa have been beaten in their past two Boxing Day fixtures by the same 3-1 scoreline, losing to Chelsea in 2021 and then to Liverpool last year.
- Ollie Watkins has been involved in eight goals in nine Premier League away games this season, scoring four and assisting four.
