Manchester United will face Aston Villa for the second time this week when they head to Villa Park in the Premier League on Saturday.
Having knocked Steven Gerrard’s side out of the FA Cup on Monday, Ralf Rangnick’s men will be looking to get their top four hopes back on track as they make their way to the midlands.
The United interim boss has a few injury concerns ahead of the game, although Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo could all return after missing the 1-0 win in the cup earlier this week.
Rangnick though knows he will definitely be without a couple of his regular first-teamers, with suspensions taking effect following the Wolves defeat.
Who is suspended for trip to Aston Villa?
Both Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay will be missing for the trip to Villa Park, having each picked up their fifth booking of the season during the 1-0 defeat to Wolves. It was the final game before the five-booking cut off, so no doubt frustrating for Rangnick.
The two players will serve a one-match suspension, so will be back available for the clash against Brentford on January 19.
Who is close to a suspension?
Thankfully for United, no one.
Ronaldo was walking a tightrope during the Wolves defeat, having picked up four bookings so far this season, but he managed to get to the cut-off point for suspensions unscathed.
With that game being United’s 19th of the league season, Ronaldo is no longer in any danger of picking up a ban should he get booked against Villa on Saturday.
Bruno Fernandes and Fred were also close to a suspension having been sat on four yellows, but can breathe a sigh of relief ahead of this weekend.
When is the next cut-off point?
The next cut-off point for yellow card suspensions will be United’s 32nd league fixture.
If any player accumulates 10 bookings by that point, they will then have to serve a two-match suspension, and given United’s top-four hopes, they can’t afford to have any of their players missing at that point of the season – especially Ronaldo.
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