Unai Emery and Michael Carrick
Unai Emery and Michael Carrick (Image: Getty Images)
Unai Emery has warned his Aston Villa players that, despite Manchester United’s struggles so far this season, Michael Carrick’s side are comparable to Barcelona.
Villa lost 3-0 at Camp Nou on Tuesday night, while United earned their first win in 10 matches, coming from two goals behind to beat AS Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford.
Carrick’s job at United appears to be under huge scrutiny heading into this afternoon’s clash. However, despite interest in Emery from United officials, the Villa boss will commit his future to the club once again by signing a new contract next week.
He will be seeking his first win at Old Trafford as Villa manager after five defeats.
“They started very well in the Champions League and haven't had consistency in the league, but they have time to recover it and, as well, they are on the same page as Tottenham,” Emery explained of United. “They are clear contenders to be in the top six, so it is very difficult. We are preparing, thinking how to get our best on Sunday.
“We did not win one match there in four years. We even lost in the first Carabao Cup match we played there, 4-2. Man United is a fantastic club. I am positively worried about how we are doing our process with the players who joined us this summer and building the structure as strong as possible.
“We should do it, getting better and better each match. Worried because we have a lack of points and, in some moments, we don't perform enough to win matches. We are working hard and analysing deeply the matches that we are playing and seeing each player progress.
“Sometimes the process is clear or the situation takes one step back, like against Fulham at home. We lost to Barcelona because of the level we faced; this is the highest level in the Champions League. Man United is at the same level as Barcelona.
“This is the work that we are trying to set with the players. I am very demanding. The club is on the same page as me. The next challenge on Sunday is in the process we have and trying to do better than we did against Barcelona on Tuesday.”
Emery added: “We are also going to face Youri Tielemans – he is a fantastic player as well. He was here and needed time to adapt to us, and progressively he was performing fantastically.
“Now at Manchester United, maybe he needs more time to adapt to them. In case he is playing on Sunday, he is going to fight against us with his quality and his mentality. He has a strong mentality.”
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