Manchester United will hope to once again cut the gap to the Champions League places when they take on Luton Town this Sunday.
Had Erik ten Hag’s side lost at Aston Villa last week, there would be an 11-point gap to the top four. Instead, the 2-1 win means the deficit stands at just six points, with five points to fifth-place Villa, a position which could provide a Champions League qualification place this season.
While United are on the rise, Villa’s recent dip is beginning to look more like an uncontrolled freefall. Injuries to key players haven’t helped, and the news that Boubacar Kamara is set to miss the rest of the season only compounds matters.
For United, it’s the opposition, with several significant players returning in recent weeks. Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Casemiro have all started the last two league matches as Ten Hag’s XI is gaining more consistency.
With it, has come an improvement in results. United have won five out of six since the turn of the year and have been spurred on by an impressive attacking trident of Alejandro Garnacho, Ramsus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford. The trio have managed nine goals across the last five games, while Scott McTominay’s penchant for popping up with important goals is also proving more than useful.
It means there’s a sense of positivity around United ahead of this weekend’s trip to Kenilworth Road, and the Red Devils’ injury list could be down to just two players for Sunday’s game. Below, we’ve listed the latest on every injured and unavailable player from the two camps…
1. Mads Andersen - potential return date: 21 February
Has missed the last six games and is not expected to return in time for the visit of United.
2. Tom Lockyer - potential return date: N/A
Suffered a cardiac arrest in December and there is no update on when, or if, he'll return to the team.
3. Marvelous Nakamba - potential return date: 2 April
Rob Edwards recently described the midfielder's injury lay-off being for 'months'.
4. RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka - potential return date: 18 February
Was close to returning last week but had to pull out of training on Thursday before the Villa game. The ex-Crystal Palace man could be back for Sunday's game.