Afternoon everyone and welcome to today’s big match – in fact the only match in all four (men’s) divisions. On the shortest day of the year, the authorities have decided to put on the shortest programme possible. And the fixture they have picked is one that finished 0-0 last season.
Still, it could be very tasty this time. Aston Villa have won nine games in a row in all competitions. Manchester United, with only one competition to worry about, have won just twice in their past seven outings. When they face these opponents, though, United begin to resemble the force they once were. Villa have even managed to make Alex Ferguson’s successors look good: in 18 league games against United since 2013-14, Villa have won two, drawn four and lost 12.
Today they will have momentum on their side. And a much more capable manager. Unai Emery wins 55 per cent of his games with Villa; Ruben Amorim wins 39 per cent of his with United. You can see the gulf between them in the way each has handled his club’s brightest young thing. While Emery has made a maestro out of Morgan Rogers, Amorim tends to see Kobbie Mainoo as someone to be spurned or scorned.
United knew they would be missing Bryan Mbeumo and Amad today, because of Afcon. But, thanks to a silly foul the other night that led to a suspension (and a goal from a free kick), they will also be without Casemiro.
