Man United Vs Aston Villa brings a key fitness update: Mason Mount has resumed group training and could be in contention to return when Manchester United host Aston Villa on Sunday, Michael Carrick said.
Squad news and Mount’s comeback
Mount has not been involved since a late cameo in Carrick’s first game, the 2-0 derby win over Manchester City. He had a late goal disallowed in that match and was an unused substitute in the 3-2 victory at Arsenal before picking up an injury during training the following week. Carrick confirmed that Mount is “back with the group, which is fantastic, ” while noting the midfielder has only trained for a very small amount of time and is not yet 100 percent.
Whether Mount features on Sunday remains uncertain; Carrick said, “So, we’ll see if he’s involved or not on Sunday, but yeah, it’s a big step for him, but we’re happy with that. ” Mount’s return to full involvement would be a timely boost as United look to consolidate their position in the UEFA Champions League qualification places.
Noussair Mazraoui trained this week despite picking up a knock during the 2-1 defeat at Newcastle, nine days earlier. By contrast, Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu and Lisandro Martinez are set to miss the meeting with Unai Emery’s side.
Villa fitness and midfield options
Aston Villa have welcomed the return of John McGinn, who came back from a two-month lay-off as Villa beat Lille 1-0 in the Europa League on Thursday. McGinn had missed 10 games after suffering a knee injury in January; Villa recorded just two Premier League wins during his absence. His late substitute appearance boosts Emery’s options in midfield while Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans remain unavailable.
Harvey Elliott also featured in France following a spell on the sidelines, but Matty Cash was absent with a calf injury and Lamare Bogarde deputised at right-back. Those shifts give Villa a different mix of options as they prepare for the Premier League clash.
Matchday selection notes and bench details
Carrick made two changes to the side that lost 2-1 at Newcastle United in their last game. Winger Diallo and full-back Dalot were brought into the starting XI for forward Sesko and defender Mazraoui, respectively, with both of the replaced players named on the bench. Mount was named in a matchday squad for the first time since the Manchester derby two months earlier.
Manchester United’s substitutes list for the fixture includes Bayindir, Mazraoui, Mount, Zirkzee, Malacia, Ugarte, Heaven, Sesko and Fletcher. Aston Villa’s bench features Lindelof, Elliott, Torres, Garcia, Abraham, Luiz, Maatsen, Bailey and Bizot.
Jadon Sancho, who started in France, is unavailable for this fixture because of the terms of his loan, while the presence of former Red Victor Lindelof remains a note of interest for selection choices on the day.
As both sides finalise their squad selections, managers will assess fitness and form before the Premier League meeting on Sunday. The immediate focus is on available personnel and short-term returns from injury as the match approaches.
