Who: Manchester United vs Aston Villa
Content: English Soccer Premier League
Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
Date and time: Sunday, March 15th, 2pm (14:00 GMT)
How to follow: Al Jazeera live coverage starts at 11:00 GMT
Manchester United and Aston Villa face a huge clash on Sunday in the battle for qualification to the UEFA Champions League.
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The pair remain third and fourth respectively in the Premier League, with United ahead of Villa on goal difference, while Chelsea and Liverpool are three points behind them in fifth and sixth place.
Only the top four teams are guaranteed a place at European football’s top table, and with nine games left in the season, the clash at Old Trafford will be of great value to both sides.
Al Jazeera Sports has detailed coverage of the match.
Man United aim to recover from first defeat under Carrick
Manchester United caretaker manager Michael Carrick said on Friday that his players were “Itching to get going again” after suffering the first defeat under his stewardship.
Last week, 10-a-side Newcastle United ended Carrick’s unbeaten run since replacing Ruben Amorim in January.
“I think the first loss feels different, but it will come at some point. Most teams have experienced it at some point,” Carrick told reporters.
“It was a really good week in some ways. We were able to put ourselves in a position where we had a lot to play for.”
Carrick fends off Scholes’ attack at Manchester United
Following United’s defeat to Newcastle, former player Paul Scholes criticized him on Instagram: “Michael definitely has something special about him… because United’s last four games have been crap.”
Asked about his former teammate’s comments, Carrick said: “I didn’t really have anything to say. I really didn’t have anything to say.”
“I think that’s exactly where we are when it comes to social media and things and captions and quotes. It can be taken in a lot of different ways, so just stay calm and understand what things really mean.
“Listen, there are different opinions out there, and that’s okay. People can have different opinions.
“Things just go from one extreme to the other. That’s the way it is. I’m not worried about it and I don’t think it’s a big deal.”
“There’s nothing to say about that, really,” he said.
How have Aston Villa fared in the Premier League this season?
Villa had a turbulent start to the season, failing to register a win in their first five league games and suffering two defeats. However, by recording 12 wins out of 13 league games, they were forced to challenge for the title by the beginning of the year.
However, a 4-1 defeat against Arsenal on New Year’s Eve marked the beginning of a further slump, with just three wins in 11 games since the defeat in London.
The Midlands club have lost three of their last five away league games, registering just one win in that time.
Finally, to Manchester United
United suffered their first defeat under Carrick’s management on March 4 against Newcastle United.
Jacob Ramsey was sent off just before half-time, reducing the home side to 10 men.
The first half came to a frenetic end, with Anthony Gauden giving Newcastle the lead from the penalty spot in stoppage time, but Casemiro leveled the score with an equalizer.
William Osula scored the winning goal in the 90th minute, giving Eddie Howe’s side three points despite the numerical disadvantage.
“The way the game (against Newcastle) ended was disappointing but we digested it, we looked at it and we learned from it,” Carrick said ahead of the game against Villa.
“We had really good practice this week, so the players are itching to run.”
Finally at Aston Villa
Villa defeated Lille 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, ending a four-game winning streak that included three defeats.
Ollie Watkins scored the only goal of the match in the 61st minute.
The return game will be played at Villa Park on Thursday.
What happened the last time Manchester United played Aston Villa?
In a Premier League upset at Villa Park in December, Villa recorded a 2-1 victory despite a strong performance from Ruben Amorim’s United side.
Morgan Rodgers scored both of Villa’s goals, the first coming in the 45th minute, but United equalized in first-half stoppage time with a goal from Matheus Cunha.
What happened in the corresponding match between Man United and Villa last season?
Last season, United won 2-1 in the Premier League at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils were greatly helped by the sending off of Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez just before half-time.
Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen’s penalties in the 87th minute sealed the victory for the home team.
direct confrontation
This will be the 202nd meeting between the two clubs, with Manchester United winning 107 times. Aston Villa have won 52 of their meetings dating back to November 1892, with United winning 2-0 at home in the old Division One.
manchester united team news
Carrick said Mason Mount has taken a “huge step” and could be ready to return after two months out against Villa this weekend.
The midfielder missed the last six league games due to injury.
“He’s an important player for us,” he said.
“He’s not 100 percent and he’s only been practicing for a short period of time. But he’s back, which is good for us. We’ll see if he’s involved on Sunday. In terms of guys coming back, that’s it.”
However, Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorg and Mason Mount remain sidelined, with Lisandro Martinez added to the list with a calf injury, while Luke Shaw remains an injury doubt.
The defender was forced off with an injury in the defeat to Newcastle, but Nouser Mazraoui, who was also sent off with an injury in that game, is expected to be available.
Aston Villa team news
Midfielder John McGinn will return to action against Lille on Thursday night and could be in line to start at Old Trafford.
Youri Tielemans and Boubakar Kamara remain sidelined through injury, leaving a big hole in the middle of Villa’s line-up.
Right-back Matty Cash is also suspected of missing the game against Lille after picking up a bruise in Villa’s last Premier League game.
Manchester United’s projected starting lineup
Rammen. Mazraoui, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw. Casemiro, Mainu, Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha. Sesco
Aston Villa’s expected starting lineup
Martinez. Bogarde, Consa, Torres, Masen. Luis, Onana, Sancho, Rodgers, Buendia. Watkins
