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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Gareth Bicknell

Man Utd predicted lineup vs Aston Villa as first team return to action

Manchester United's first-team stars are to return to face Aston Villa on Sunday after a youthful line-up was defeated by Astana in the Europa League in midweek.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took United's youngsters to Kazakhstan to give them some valuable experience, but the move backfired somewhat as the youngest XI ever fielded in European competition lost 2-1 .

Thursday's XI, which had an average age of 22 years and 26 days, featured the likes of Tahith Chong and Angel Gomes, and debuts for right-back Ethan Laird, midfielder Dylan Levitt and centre-back Di'Shon Bernard.

But none of those who played on Thursday are set to start at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Solskjaer calling on his most experienced men to try and the bridge the nine-point gap to the top four.

David de Gea will return in goal in place of Lee Grant, while first-choice centre-back pairing Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire will be back in the heart of the defence, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back and Brandan Williams at left-back following his impressive recent run.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will make 11 changes after a youthful United team were defeated by Astana (REUTERS)

The big news in midfield is that Scott McTominay is expected back from injury and resume his partnership with Fred, while Daniel James, Marcus Rashford and Andreas Pereira will play behind frontman Anthony Martial.

Paul Pogba is still out with an ankle injury, but may be fit in time to be involved for Wednesday's visit of Tottenham.

Fellow midfielder Nemanja Matic, whose injury has still not been revealed, is also out.

Scott McTominay is expected to return to United's midfield against Villa (REUTERS)

Luke Shaw is out with muscle injury, while Diogo Dalot is sidelined with a groin injury.

Aston Villa defender Bjorn Engels has recovered from a hip problem.

Jota is continuing to build up his fitness following hernia surgery.

Probable Manchester United XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Williams; McTominay, Fred; James, Pereira, Rashford; Martial.

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