Manchester United face Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon in another tough Premier League encounter for Ruben Amorim’s side
Manchester United face the tough task of playing Aston Villa on Sunday without three of their key players. Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui have all departed for AFCON, leaving Ruben Amorim to contend with life without a trio of first-team stars.
The Red Devils currently sit in the top half of the Premier League table and will be hoping to take all three points back to Old Trafford, even without Mbeumo and co. The trip to the Midlands is their first of three matches before the end of 2025, which also includes visits from Newcastle on Boxing Day and Wolves four days later.
As United prepare for a hectic Christmas fixture list, Mirror Football is on hand to bring you all of the latest news concerning the Red Devils.
READ MORE: Managing Man Utd: Ruben Amorim secures £65m signing as he executes formation change planREAD MORE: Ruben Amorim issues new demand after losing THREE Man Utd stars for Aston Villa
Jadon Sancho plan
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery insists he is committed to the plan of getting the best out of loanee Jadon Sancho before the season’s end. The United winger is currently plying his trade with the Villans and is therefore unavailable this weekend so as to avoid playing against his parent club.
Rumours have been building as the January transfer window nears with talk that Villa may end Sancho’s deal early to make room in the squad for a permanent addition. However, Emery is relishing the thought of getting the peak of the England international’s career while he is still at the club.
He said: “Jadon is still being young. He has had an amazing career and is now in a moment where he needs help to recover his best performance. I have this challenge with him. He has this challenge with me as well. Of course, he is not playing all the minutes I think he has to.
“But in the second part of the season, I believe in him. He is really being demanding himself to try to get his best moment this season with us. Of course, on Sunday we are finishing December and then starting January soon. The first match back he will play is against Chelsea.
“He has that challenge with me and himself, and with the club as well. I believe in him and hopefully we can get it.”
Zirkzee told to move
Former Roma striker Daniel Fonseca has told struggling United star Joshua Zirkzee that he is the ‘ideal’ addition for the Serie A club. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Uruguayan believes Roma should go for the attacker in January to boost their challenge for the title.
Fonseca said: “Gasperini deserves a big attacking signing in January. I keep hearing about Manchester United’s Zirkzee; he’d be perfect. With three points in Turin and a nice Christmas present, Roma could fight for the title right until the end.”
The 24-year-old has made 10 appearances so far for United this season and scored just one goal against Crystal Palace. In recent weeks, the Dutch star has made more of an impact but managed just seven minutes in total against Wolves and Bournemouth.
Prior to this, he played two full games against Palace and Everton, plus 78 minutes against West Ham. However, the lack of goalscoring may tempt the young striker to find more consistent game time elsewhere.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
