Goalkeeper – Onana
Andre Onana will continue as Ten Hag’s first-choice goalkeeper after keeping his seventh Premier League clean sheet of the season in last weekend’s 3-0 win against West Ham United.
The United No. 24 will become the joint-leader alongside Everton’s Jordan Pickford in the Golden Glove race with another clean sheet against Villa.
Defence – Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw
Martinez’s injury setback is a cruel blow after showcasing what United have been missing for most of the season in the last three games.
But Ten Hag has sufficient cover this weekend after resting Raphael Varane at Old Trafford last time out.
The Frenchman will likely be reintroduced as United’s only change, reconnecting his centre-back partnership with Harry Maguire, who looks set to receive back-to-back starts.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka remains absent through injury, so Diogo Dalot will continue his run as Ten Hag’s preferred right-back. Luke Shaw is in line to start again on the left.
Midfield – Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes
Mason Mount is nearing a return to action after spending most of his maiden season at United on the sidelines, but he won’t feature at Villa.
Ten Hag has heaped praise on Casemiro and how he has supported Kobbie Mainoo’s development this week.
Both are expected to retain their starting spots as the former continues to recover match fitness and the latter establishes himself as a crucial fixture in Ten Hag’s plans.
Club captain Bruno Fernandes will start ahead of the duo, and the Portuguese maestro will play a huge role in winning a tough midfield battle.
Attack – Garnacho, Rashford, Hojlund
Ten Hag’s first-choice attacking trio seems set in stone after a string of impressive performances from Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund.
Garnacho is nearing a 20th consecutive start, having found a new lease of life as a right-winger. The 19-year-old has been United’s most exciting attacking outlet in recent weeks and netted a brace last time out.
Rashford has contributed towards a goal in five of his last six appearances and is gradually getting back up to speed on the left.
And Hojlund looks to have found his feet in English football, netting in each of his last four Premier League outings, becoming the youngest United player to ever do so.
