Manchester United return to Premier League action this afternoon when Aston Villa travel to Old Trafford
07:00, 15 Mar 2026
Manchester United welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford this afternoon as they look to cement their place in the top four. The Reds last played 11 days ago but only Mason Mount is back with the squad after suffering a knock at the start of February.
Lisandro Martinez’s recovery from a calf injury is taking longer to heal than expected. Matthijs de Ligt and Patrick Dorgu remain long-term absentees with back and hamstring issues respectively. Noussair Mazraoui was injured in the defeat to Newcastle but trained this week with his teammates at Carrington.
Here are the United teams our writers think Michael Carrick should select against Villa.
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Tyrone Marshall
Carrick isn’t flush with options at the moment, with two of his best central defenders still injured, and although Mount is back in training, this is going to be too soon for a start, and it’s hard to see how he gets in the side anyway.
I would stick with Mazraoui ahead of Diogo Dalot at right-back at the moment. That change was made at Newcastle and it feels like it’s worth seeing the Moroccan in a few games now in that position.
The midfield picks itself, but I would change things up in the front three. Amad has been bright off the bench and as a left-footer, I would try him on the left to try and stretch the pitch and offer some more width. Carrick believes he can play there and he could have a similar impact to Dorgu. Matheus Cunha can drop to the bench.
Jack Flintham
Mazraoui may have returned to training this week but I would be hesitant to start him ahead of Dalot. It could be safer not to risk the Morocco international considering his injury at Newcastle.
The midfield three have cemented their places in the team and should remain unchanged. Amad will be desperate to return to the starting line-up but I am unsure of his suitability on the left.
Dorgu would be a perfect addition on that side but his injury ruins that plan. As such, Cunha probably has to keep his place.