Manchester United will turn their attention to a daunting Premier League test against high-flying Aston Villa on Sunday.
The trip to Villa Park promises to be a stern examination, especially with a raucous home crowd expected to be right behind Unai Emery’s side.
United manager Ruben Amorim faces a tactical minefield, with Villa emerging as genuine dark horses in the title race and brimming with confidence.
To make matters worse, the odds already appear stacked against the United head coach with six key players set to miss the crucial showdown.
Noussair Mazraoui, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo have all departed the United camp to link up with their national teams ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
With the tournament running until mid-January, the trio could be sidelined for as many as seven matches depending on their nations’ progress.
United’s problems deepened further when Casemiro picked up a yellow card in the 50th minute of the dramatic draw against Bournemouth.
It was his seventh booking (fifth individual caution) in the league so far, resulting in a one-game suspension.
The absence of the Brazilian is a major blow, given how instrumental he has been in stabilising United’s midfield while Manuel Ugarte continues to struggle with the fundamentals.
Those four players are already confirmed absentees for the trip to the Midlands.
Defensive worries could yet intensify, with Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt both currently sidelined through injury.
The club is expected to provide clarity on their availability later this week.
Maguire has been out since suffering a hamstring injury in the 2–2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur last month.
With options dwindling, Amorim will need to dig deep into his squad and devise a smart, resilient game plan to cope with Aston Villa’s relentless pressing and intensity.
Stats from Fotmob.com