Manchester United is preparing to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, following a thrilling 4-4 draw against Bournemouth at Old Trafford. Under the management of Ruben Amorim, the team has recently stabilized, amassing 26 points and positioning themselves in contention for a Champions League spot. The upcoming match against Villa poses a significant challenge, as the home side is currently on a remarkable nine-match winning streak across all competitions.
Amorim faces additional hurdles as several key players will depart for the Africa Cup of Nations, which commences this weekend. Despite these challenges, Amorim remains optimistic that adversity can lead to positive transformations within the squad. With the January transfer window opening in just over a week, opportunities for new signings abound, prompting Manchester Evening News to explore crucial decisions Amorim may need to address in the coming weeks.
Formation Changes and Player Deployments
The previous match against Bournemouth saw Amorim experiment with a modified version of his typical 3-4-2-1 formation. Notably, Amad was positioned further forward on the right flank than left wing-back Diogo Dalot, who played a more traditional left-back role. This adjustment allowed Leny Yoro to occupy the right-back position, while Amad occasionally shifted back into a right wing-back role and even ventured into midfield.
In his post-match comments, Amorim indicated that he had been testing a different formation during training at Carrington, suggesting that his lineup against Aston Villa could adopt a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2 structure. With the absences of Amad, Bryan Mbeumo, and Noussair Mazraoui for the Africa Cup of Nations and the suspension of Casemiro, the potential starting XI against Unai Emery’s squad may include: Lammens; Dalot, De Ligt, Martinez, Shaw; Ugarte, Fernandes, Mainoo; Mount, Sesko, Cunha.
Transfer Targets and Potential Departures
Looking ahead to the January transfer window, reports indicate that Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo has emerged as United’s primary target. His £65 million release clause becomes active at the start of next month, and United may encounter competition from Tottenham, Liverpool, and Manchester City for his signature. Semenyo, 25, was previously linked with a move to Old Trafford last summer, but Bournemouth’s £80 million asking price deterred United. Amorim has praised Semenyo, labeling him a “special player,” which underscores United’s continued interest.
If United successfully acquires Semenyo in January, he could serve as a left-winger in a 4-3-3 formation or address the left wing-back issue within a 3-4-2-1 setup, particularly given Dalot’s inconsistent performances. Importantly, Ghana’s failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations means that Semenyo would be available for selection throughout January if he joins United.
In addition to potential signings, United may also seek to offload underperforming players to fund their recruitment efforts. Reports suggest that they will entertain offers for Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte, and Tyrell Malacia. Malacia was previously part of a group of players who trained separately from the first team over the summer but ultimately remained at the club. Despite being named on the bench several times, he has yet to see significant playing time, indicating a likely departure in January.
Zirkzee has struggled to adapt to English football since his £36.5 million transfer from Bologna in 2024, while Ugarte has similarly underwhelmed since joining from PSG for £42 million during the same window. Both players may find themselves on the transfer list as United looks to revitalize their squad. Additionally, Kobbie Mainoo, 20, may consider leaving his boyhood club after failing to secure a starting position. Although his request for a loan move last summer was denied, his ongoing frustration with limited playing time could prompt a reconsideration of his future.
As Manchester United navigates these challenges, all eyes will be on the team as they prepare to take on Aston Villa and potentially reshape their squad for the second half of the season.
