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Manchester United and Aston Villa meet at Old Trafford in an FA Cup 3rd round clash on Monday with both trying to work out if their new manager is right for them after all. Before you start, it’s early days for Ralf Rangnick and Steven Gerrard respectively, I know.
But the signs aren’t overly encouraging. Sure, Rangnick’s only hanging around until the end of the season but this guy’s moving upstairs in the summer to try and steer the rudderless ship. Is he right for the Premier League? Can he handle Manchester United? Gerrard started well at Villa Park but has lost three of his last four games, tough though they may have been.
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The latest football odds are on PaddyPower.com right nowThis game might be a welcome distraction from Premier League struggles for both, then. I suspect Villa and, specifically, Gerrard will want to win this more than their opponents but United have serious motivation after their meek showings against Newcastle and Wolves recently.
Rangnick is probably only really worried about a top four finish but United might still field a strong side as they look to find some much-needed cohesion. Villa are coasting to mid-table obscurity so a cup run might bring some light into a potentially dreary season. Will they get it? Let’s find out.
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Monday 7.55pm: Manchester United v Aston Villa
BBC One, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport Website
Over 2.5 Goals
All in all I think this could be a pretty entertaining match. Not because United play great, stylish, attacking football, but because they have to show something here. Those two feeble displays mentioned earlier were punctuated by a 3-1 win over lowly Burnley and drab 1-0 wins against Norwich and Crystal Palace.
That Wolves game felt like a new nadir and, as a result, they might come out and play for a few games before reverting to type. The Red Devils almost-always score and their misfire against Wolves was the first in nine before that.
It’s a similar case for Villa who have scored in six of their last seven, netting against the likes of Chelsea, Leicester and Manchester City along the way. With the freedom of being unshackled from the league I think we’ll see a winner in a decent game with both scoring on the way to Over 2.5 Goals.
Danny Ings to Score Anytime
Danny Ings has endured a bit of a frustrating season so far, scoring just four goals in 14 appearances since his move from Southampton. The link up with Ollie Watkins hasn’t clicked as yet but he did net last time out against Brentford.
Was it coincidence that Watkins was absent for that game? While Gerrard was keeping his cards close to his chest over the absence of the former Bees and Exeter striker the hint was Covid and if that’s right there’s a good chance he won’t start here, given the isolation and lack of training.
That means Ings can do his things and repeat the trick from the weekend. Up against United’s generous defence, I think the wily Ings can Score Anytime for the away side.
Manchester United to Win
I don’t think it will be enough for victory, however. I’m anticipating a few goals and Villa never, ever draw. Their last stalemate was 15 games ago and I suspect they’ll be outgunned. It’s boom or bust for them and with the latter in vouge at Villa Park at the moment. They’ve lost four of their last six.
Please don’t assume I think United are good. I just think they’re better than Villa and, playing at home with something to prove once again, with the quality that they have at their disposal, I think it’s worth backing Manchester United to Win, certainly in a Bet Builder.
Cristiano Ronaldo to Score Last
Talking of star quality, enter Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s United’s leading scorer on 14 with nine more than anyone else in their entire, bloated squad. I think he’ll play here and if he doesn’t start he’s going to at least be on the bench.
He loves scoring big goals and you can already see him running bare chested and screaming towards the Stretford End to lap up the adulation after sending United into the next round. It’s written in the stars. Cristiano Ronaldo to Score Last rounds us off.
Man Utd v Aston Villa tips
Over 2.5 Goals
Danny Ings to Score Anytime
Manchester United to Win
Cristiano Ronaldo to Score Last
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