Why Kobbie Mainoo is absent for Man Utd's Premier League game vs Aston Villa
Manchester United take on Aston Villa in today’s much-awaited Premier League clash at Villa Park.
Ahead of the game, manager Ruben Amorim has made three changes from the thrilling 4-4 draw against Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Monday.
Manuel Ugarte, Patrick Dorgu and Benjamin Sesko have come into the starting XI with Casemiro, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo unavailable for selection.
Casemiro is serving a one-game league suspension, while Amad and Mbeumo are away on Africa Cup of Nations duty (AFCON) and won’t be available for a few weeks.
Alongside the trio, the Red Devils are also without Noussair Mazraoui (AFCON), Harry Maguire (hamstring), Matthijs De Ligt (back) and Kobbie Mainoo.
Mainoo was widely anticipated to make his first league start of the season as the holding midfielder, but he has unfortunately been ruled out of the encounter.
As per journalist Samuel Luckhurst, the Englishman picked up a ‘small injury’ during yesterday’s training session, which is behind his absence from the squad.
Mainoo’s future has been a regular topic of speculation over the past few months, and it has intensified with the transfer window about to reopen next month.
Today’s game was a perfect opportunity to stand out against Unai Emery’s side and stake a claim for the number six role ahead of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte.
However, things have not panned out as planned. The club graduate has been ruled out alongside Casemiro. Ugarte has got his opportunity to make a mark instead.
Mainoo’s injury has rather come out of the blue with no speculation whatsoever, and it remains to be seen whether this has any relation to the transfer gossip.
United will be aiming to return to winning ways against an in-form Aston Villa outfit today.
The West Midlands outfit have been in stunning form with six league wins on the bounce, but United have had good success against them over the last few years.
The club have won five of the last six meetings (one draw) and have an opportunity to inflict another defeat on the Villans and hamper their pursuit of the league title.
United can move within goal difference of fourth-placed Chelsea with a victory at Villa Park.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
Article written by Sri Aswin .