Split image of Manchester United boss Michael Carrick and Aston Villa manager Unai Emery
Split image of Manchester United boss Michael Carrick and Aston Villa manager Unai Emery
Michael Carrick seems to be on his last legs at the Red Devils, while Unai Emery is starting to get the best out of his team.
Old Trafford will host the Villans on 8 November and it feels like the perfect time for the visitors to make a statement.
Villa are unbeaten in their last five league matches ahead of facing Man United.
After a major squad overhaul in the summer in B6, the Spanish manager has needed time to get things right.
Barcelona have been one of the best teams in the world this season, and there's no shame in losing to them, but the Lions' supporters will certainly fancy their chances against a battered Carrick side.
Why Aston Villa supercomputer prediction vs Manchester United makes no sense
Man United are just above the relegation zone because they have a better goal difference than Crystal Palace.
The Red Devils are winless in seven Premier League matches and are coming off back-to-back losses against Bournemouth and Chelsea.
Carrick surely knows that he's a dead man walking at Old Trafford.
The second-half comeback against Roma in the Champions League masked the defensive frailties on show in the opening 45 minutes.
Despite all that has happened this season, Opta's supercomputer has given Man United a 39 per cent chance and Villa a 34 per cent chance of winning.
Given the fine margin, a draw, at 26 per cent, is the most likely outcome.
Unai Emery deserves more praise at Aston Villa
Emery is close to signing a new contract at Villa amid links to Man United.
The Spanish manager has been suggested as a contender for the job at Old Trafford for a reason.
Villa are averaging 1.1 goals and two big chances per game, as per Sofascore.
Nicolas Jackson is becoming a real danger man, scoring five goals in his last five league matches.
There's work to do defensively for the Lions, but they have kept two clean sheets, something Man United haven't managed.
Emery is slowly starting to iron out the errors at the B6 club and the supercomputer has clearly crashed while predicting the result of the game against Man United.