Grealish will be a marked man, says Ole
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer concedes Manchester United will have to ‘look out for’ Jack Grealish against a renascent Aston Villa.
The MEN reported earlier this year that United attempted to put the framework in place for a potential £65million deal for Grealish, 25, but the pandemic and Villa’s Premier League survival scuppered any chance of a move.
The £80m-rated Grealish signed a new five-year contract with his boyhood club in the summer and attained his first England cap against Denmark in September.
Villa arrive at United this evening in fifth after a five-game unbeaten run and have claimed the scalps of Liverpool, Arsenal, Leicester and Wolves this season before they drew with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
“He’s a player for Aston Villa and England who has only improved,” Solskjaer said of Grealish. “I don’t want to say too much about other teams’ players but, of course, he’s a player we know we have to look for.
“The goal he scored last season was a brilliant goal and we’ve faced him enough times to know it’s going to be a difficult game.
“They (Villa) have been brilliant. I have to say Dean Smith has done a fantastic job. We played them pre-season and they beat us then in the one game we had before the league. We know all about how tough this is going to be.
“They’ve got individual players that are physically strong, defensively they have been one of the better teams in the league, and when you beat Liverpool 7-2 it’s not just defending. It’s counterattack and quality players. That is maybe the game everyone will remember from this season.”
Solskjaer confirmed Alex Telles’ half-time withdrawal against Wolves was tactical, so
Victor Lindelof could be the only absentee from the United squad again.
United are expected to make changes to their starting XI for tonight’s game.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows his side could move level with Liverpool at the top of the table with a win in their first match of 2021 after the champions failed to beat Newcastle on Wednesday night.
United have been putting their squad depth to great use in recent weeks with a host of changes for most matches - and that trend is expected to continue into the new year. David de Gea is expected to keep his place in goal with Dean Henderson better suited to cup ties against Manchester City and Watford next week, while Harry Maguire is a guaranteed starter at centre-back.
Victor Lindelof is unlikely to
When you beat Liverpool 7-2 it’s not just defending. It’s counterattack and quality players
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
be risked as he returns from injury with Eric Bailly the logical g selection in the heart of defence. efence. Aaron Wan-Bissaka saka and Luke Shaw w remain the best t options at full-back based on recent form.
After missing out from the start in the midweek win against Wolves both h
Fred and Scott McTominay oet should be set for a return in midfield midfield, although Solskjaer might want to keep one of the pair fresh for the derby encounter next week.
Bruno Fernandes is simply undroppable after a phenomenal calendar year, with Paul Pogba the only surprise option if United opted for a midfield diamond oppose opposed to the favoured 4-3-3 4-3-3.
M Mason Greenwood w has struggled g on the right wing in his second full season so could be replaced by D Daniel James, w while Anthony Ma Martial and Marcus Rash Rashford are both expected to start, with Edinson Cavani suspended.
Predicted XI vs Aston Villa: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred, Fernandes; James, Rashford, Martial.
Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw, left, could start for United tonight