Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has make clear his resolution to call Antony on the bench for Sunday’s Premier League conflict with Aston Villa. The Brazil worldwide has been changed by Marcel Sabitzer for the conflict at Old Trafford. And victory would see the Red Devils take an enormous step in the direction of qualifying for the Champions League subsequent season.

United line up with David De Gea in objective, behind a again 4 consisting of Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

In midfield, the Red Devils have gone with Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Sabitzer.

And, up prime, Marcus Rashford performs down the center with Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho both aspect of the 25-year-old.

Antony’s absence has, nevertheless, raised eyebrows with the United star an everyday within the workforce following his blockbuster transfer from Ajax again in the summertime.

And Ten Hag has now defined the absence of the Brazil worldwide from his beginning XI, saying: “He played a lot, so we have to protect him.

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“But also from a tactical point of view, I think he's the right choice today.”

He added: “We have to divide the load of the players, that’s one.

“But also from a tactical perspective, you have a thought, you have a plan, that’s why the changes.”

Sunday’s showdown at Old Trafford would be the third time United and Aston Villa have confronted off to this point this season.

The Red Devils misplaced 3-1 at Villa Park again in November, in Unai Emery’s first sport in cost, with Cristiano Ronaldo enjoying his final sport for the membership that day.

United did, nevertheless, proceed to avenge that defeat with a 4-2 Carabao Cup win days later with Rashford, Fernandes, Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay all on the right track.

Speaking earlier than the sport, Ten Hag praised Villa and stated they'd be a giant take a look at for his aspect.

“Yeah, definitely. Big test,” he stated when requested in regards to the job Emery has carried out within the Midlands since his appointment earlier within the season.

“We have proven we can beat them in the Carabao Cup [when] we did, [but] in the weekend before, we had a tough day in Birmingham [against them] and we want to get revenge for it.”

He added: “No team likes to come to Old Trafford.

“We are strong, it's in our minds and we will go on Sunday and we need the fans behind us because I think that cooperation between the fans, the players, the team is so strong and the bond, we have to strengthen it even more.

“But you have to prove it every time. On Sunday it is a new test and you have to start from zero.”

Ten Hag additionally admitted he was delighted at seeing Alejandro Garnacho signal a brand new contact with the membership.

The teenager penned an extension till 2028 on Friday and posed for footage with each Ten Hag and Darren Fletcher.

Ten Hag continued: “I am very pleased with the development.

“At the start of the season you always hope that you can bring one or two players from the Academy up into the first team, and he made it.

“Today is a day for celebration for him but it has to be an inspiration and a motivation especially, because it's a new start as well.

“Expectations will be higher and we expect him to contribute even more to Man United and we want to win trophies and to be successful, to win every game.

“I need a player who has the standard of good is not good enough.

“We have to do better.”