How Manchester United should line up vs Aston Villa in Premier League fixture

Manchester United will be looking for another important three points when they host in-form Aston Villa at Old Trafford today.

Erik ten Hag's side head into the match on the back of a 2-2 draw with Tottenham in midweek and know an improved performance is needed to strengthen their hopes of a top-four finish.

Villa are second in the Premier League form table across the last 20 matches in the competition and could move to within three points of United with a win.

In terms of early team news, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez will both miss the match, while Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire are doubts.

Read next: Ten Hag's substitutions are not biggest problem in second halves

Here is how MEN writers think United should line up.

Samuel Luckhurst

As proactive as Ten Hag was in making changes, he needed to show a little more faith in the players to reorganise after Tottenham scored.

United should have made it 3-1 almost straight away and that was via Christian Eriksen's crafty pass. Hooking Eriksen was an undeniable mistake. So, as critical as Ten Hag was of the first half performance, United should be unchanged.

A number of individuals have decent momentum from midweek and, as loose as the defence is, it is not time to bring back Harry Maguire.

Rich Fay

A win today could all but guarantee a top-four finish and United need to pick their strongest side to make sure that happens. Even if Maguire is fit, he shouldn't be starting.

United also can't afford any risks in midfield, and the biggest decision will be about who is trusted to freshen it up from the bench.- Fred has dropped to the bottom of the pecking order after his disastrous display in midweek.

Martial hasn't done enough since returning from injury, so