The Red Devils are 17th in the standings after nine fixtures (W1, D4, L4), just two points ahead of bottom-of-the-table Sunderland.
Manchester United will head into Sunday’s home game against Aston Villa looking nervously over their shoulders in the Premier League.
However, according to Sports View, the upcoming fixture against Villa could be the ideal opportunity for United to steady the ship.
United have defeated Villa on their last two visits to Old Trafford, which should give the players confidence heading into the weekend.
Victory over Roma was a step in the right direction
Manager Michael Carrick’s future at the club looked extremely bleak halfway through the midweek Champions League clash with Roma.
The Serie A side had opened up a 2-0 lead in the first half, but United fought back after the break to secure a much-needed 3-2 victory.
Carrick will now hope that his players show the same spirit against a Villa side that has the ability to cause them plenty of problems at Old Trafford.
The United boss insisted that he wasn’t getting ‘carried away with things’ after the game, but admitted that the result could kickstart United’s season.
“It’s an important night and I think it’s important for some of the players to have the feeling that they maybe haven’t had here before, some of the lads that came this year, some of the boys that came maybe even last year, maybe who haven’t had a feeling of that,” Carrick said.
“I think it’s important for them to know what that means and know how it feels. It’s pretty obvious to say, but until you’ve really gone through it and felt it and had to dig deep and come out the other side, sometimes you don’t know what it’s like.
“We have to take stock – we have to stay calm and prepare for another big game this weekend.”
Villa are no pushovers despite recent wobble
After compiling a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions following a sticky start to the season, Villa have gone off the boil in the last few games.
Bournemouth dumped Villa out of the League Cup before Fulham held them to a 1-1 draw in their most recent Premier League outing.
Unai Emery’s side suffered a 3-0 defeat at Barcelona in the Champions League in midweek, and will be desperate to bounce back on Sunday.
Villa head into the weekend 10th in the standings, four points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea. They are five points ahead of the Red Devils.
A victory for United would further ease the pressure on Carrick and give him some breathing space during the November international break.
With league fixtures to come against Liverpool (A), Brentford (H) and Newcastle United (A), the Red Devils need to start producing their best form.
A third consecutive home victory over Villa would be the perfect way to build on the Roma result.
Man United vs Aston Villa predicted line-ups
Man United: Senne Lammens, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot, Kobbie Mainoo, Youri Tielemans, Bruno Fernandes, Shea Lacey, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo.
Aston Villa: Zion Suzuki, Joao Gomes, Victor Lindelof, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen, Boubacar Kamara, Leon Goretzka, John McGinn, Johan Manzambi, Emiliano Buendia, Nicolas Jackson.
Man United vs Aston Villa prediction
After picking up just seven points from nine games this season, the Red Devils desperately need to improve their league form.
Villa will be no pushovers, but United are capable of winning if they show the same spirit they demonstrated in the second half against Roma.
Predicted scoreline: Man United 2-1 Aston Villa.