How Manchester United could line up against Aston Villa

Manchester United may be without a large proportion of their central defenders once again when Aston Villa travel to Old Trafford on Sunday.

In a Premier League fixture with a lot riding on it in terms of Champions League qualification, Erik ten Hag may have just one fit, natural centre-back again.

Luke Shaw, who has filled in centrally frequently this season, played alongside Victor Lindelof away to Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night.

The England international may need to do so again here if Harry Maguire fails a late fitness test after missing United's last two matches with a knock.

Ten Hag is already without his first-choice duo of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, with the duo both expected to miss all of United's remaining league fixtures.

Scott McTominay is also a doubt for this clash as the midfielder has missed the Red Devils' last five matches with injury.

Bruno Fernandes recovered in time to face Spurs in midweek though after there were concerns over his fitness, and he should start centrally in midfield along with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.

Alejandro Garnacho is edging closer to a return to first-team action, but this game may come too soon for the Argentine, so Jadon Sancho should keep his place on the left-wing after netting on Thursday.

Donny van de Beek is out for the season after the ACL injury he picked up back in January.

Manchester United possible starting lineup:

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Shaw, Dalot; Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes; Antony, Rashford, Sancho