Manchester United looking to extend 45-year record in Aston Villa game

Manchester United will be looking to set a 45-year record when they play Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Over the weekend, the Red Devils confirmed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe had acquired a 25% stake in the club, subject to Premier League approval.

There is the hope that Erik ten Hag will be able to make changes to his first-team squad during the upcoming January transfer window, but the Dutchman must first focus on trying to instigate a consistent turnaround in form.

United have gone three consecutive games in the Premier League without a win or scoring a goal, seeing them drop down to eighth position in the standings.

Next up for United is a home encounter against a Villa side who only missed out on topping the table at Christmas after failing to defeat Sheffield United on Friday night, settling for a 1-1 draw.

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That slip-up and a number of selection issues for Unai Emery's side will give confidence to United as they bid to extend a streak that has lasted since 1978.

A total of 19 top-flight games have been played at Old Trafford on Boxing Day without United suffering defeat, with 16 wins and three draws being posted during that time.

Furthermore, no English side have won more matches (53) on December 26 than United, yet they are also attempting to avoid extending some unwanted streaks.

United will be looking to avoid three successive defeats at Old Trafford for the first time since 1962, a time when Sir Matt Busby was in charge.

Their run of failing to score in four consecutive matches is also the longest since November 1992, and is at risk of being prolonged into the new year.

Ten Hag has already overseen as many as 13 defeats in all competitions during 2023-24, the most that any United team have suffered since 1930.