'They have to do it' - Erik ten Hag sets challenge for young Man United trio vs Aston Villa

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wants to see the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo make an impact against a tougher opponent in Aston Villa today after their displays against West Ham last weekend.

The young trio were key to the 3-0 victory at Old Trafford last Sunday with Hojlund and Garnacho getting on the scoresheet and Mainoo enjoying another good performance in the heart of midfield. After Garnacho added United's second, the trio sat on the advertising hoardings together for an iconic celebration which mocked a similar one the Iron performed against them earlier in the season.

This image has been circulating across social media in the week since and has led many to claim these youngsters are the future of this United team. While Ten Hag is happy with what he has seen so far, he wants to see them produce consistency this afternoon.

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He told MUTV: "Yeah, I think it's a very short period that they show it, they show potential but they have to take every game to bring them to a high level. And yeah, they have done it now in some games, it's the Premier League.

"But now they have to do it against better opposition like Sunday. There is a top-four team, can they do it? And that is their challenge.

"Can they do it in that game? Can they make the difference in that game? And to help the team win."

Before this weekend's action, Villa were fourth but they were leapfrogged by Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday after their 2-1 win over Brighton. Victory for United today shall move them within five points of Unai Emery's men and six points of Spurs in the final Champions