Why Luke Shaw & Sofyan Amrabat missed Man Utd v Aston Villa

Luke Shaw and Sofyan Amrabat were shock omissions from the Manchester United squad for the Boxing Day clash against Aston Villa.

Shaw returned from a long-term injury last month and has played in all of the eight matches since then, but was not named in the 20-man squad to face Villa. Nor was Amrabat, who was an unused substitute for last weekend’s loss to West Ham United.

Both players were left out of the squad to face Villa due to minor injuries and there’s no indication whether they’ll be back in time to face Nottingham Forest in four days' time.

With Shaw out, Diogo Dalot returned at left-back following his suspension at the weekend. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was selected on the opposition flank, with Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans at centre-back, ahead of Andre Onana.

In midfield, Scott McTominay was surprisingly dropped to the bench. The Scotland international has become an integral part of Erik ten Hag’s plans but was replaced by Christian Erisken.  The ex-Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was selected from the off for the first time in a league game since the home win over Luton Town on 11 November and was named alongside Kobbie Mainoo, with Bruno Fernandes in the no.10 role.

Ten Hag also opted to drop the out-of-form Antony, as Marcus Rashford came into replace him. Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho made up a front three that has scored three league goals all campaign.

United starting XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Evans, Varane, Dalot; Mainoo, Eriksen, McTominay; Rashford, Hojlund, Garnacho.

Villa starting XI: Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Lenglet, Digne; Dendoncker, Luiz; McGinn, Ramsey, Bailey, Watkins.