4-1-2-3: Amorim rolls the dice with this completely overhauled United XI, Villa won’t know what hit them

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim could be forced to change his preferred three-at-the-back formation for Sunday’s trip to Villa Park, where his side will face high-flying Aston Villa. Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire will almost certainly still be out injured. Maguire is reported to have resumed training, but he is unlikely to be rushed back into action as he attempts to manage an ongoing issue. Amorim is also without Noussair Mazraoui, Amad and Bryan Mbeumo, who are participating in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for Morocco, Ivory Coast and Cameroon, respectively. On top of all that, Casemiro’s yellow card against Bournemouth brings his season total to five, so he is suspended for Sunday’s game. Amorim admitted at a recent press conference that he has been training with four at the back, which is undoubtedly a result of having to do without so many defenders. The Villa game could be the first in which he finally abandons his favoured three centre backs and replaces them with two. Defence Senne Lammens will be in goal. With three centre-backs out, keeping Lisandro Martinez sidelined seems unwise, but then playing him alongside Luke Shaw in a back three does not seem practical due to their lack of height. United’s wing-back options are also depleted with Amad missing, so overall, it makes sense to switch to a back four. That back four is likely to feature Diogo Dalot at right back, Martinez at centre back and Shaw at left back. Patrick Dorgu is another option at left-back. Assuming Maguire does not make it, the choice for the other centre-back is between Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro. Neither youngster has been flawless this season, but Yoro seems the more likely to feature as he is right-sided and therefore a better fit to partner left-footed Martinez. Midfield and Attack A three-man midfield is essential to help shield the thinner back line. With Casemiro suspended, Manuel Ugarte is his natural replacement as a six, with Kobbie Mainoo coming in ahead of him and alongside captain Bruno Fernandes. Ben Sesko is expected to lead the line, flanked by Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount. Josh Zirkzee is also an option, but there are few other experienced choices. Here, then, is our predicted XI for Sunday’s 4.30pm GMT kick-off: Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Red Billy Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and two magazines and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy first saw United live in 1971, watching George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, before becoming a League Match ticket book holder from 1975/76 and a writer since 1995. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.