Critical juncture looms for Manchester United’s helmsman, Erik ten Hag, as he faces immense scrutiny to secure a triumphant outcome in Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Aston Villa at Villa Park. The Red Devils squandered a two-goal cushion before salvaging a late equalizer in a thrilling 3-3 Europa League stalemate with Porto on Thursday, shortly after Unai Emery’s charges pulled off a stunning Champions League upset by vanquishing Bayern Munich.

The piercing gaze of Sir Jim Ratcliffe will allegedly be trained on Villa Park this weekend, where another demoralizing result against Manchester United could potentially seal Ten Hag’s fate, mere months after his temporary reprieve at Old Trafford. Prospects had brightened for the beleaguered Dutchman when Manchester United surged to a two-goal advantage against Porto on Thursday evening, but a Pepe header and Samu Omorodion brace reversed the tide in the Portuguese giants’ favor, and only Harry Maguire’s late equalizer could rescue the visitors. Conceding three goals for the second consecutive match, Manchester United’s six-goal spectacle in Portugal followed a 3-0 home drubbing at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, who annihilated Ten Hag’s men after Bruno Fernandes’s erroneous dismissal – a decision later rectified, albeit belatedly. Winless in four encounters across all competitions and languishing in a lowly 13th position in the Premier League table, Manchester United have secured a meager three victories from their opening 10 matches this season, form that many deem worthy of dismissal. If there is any solace for the embattled Ten Hag, it is that Manchester United have recorded consecutive away clean sheets in the Premier League against Crystal Palace and Southampton; not since March 2021 have they maintained three successive shut-outs on the road.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, stifled Harry Kane and company in Wednesday’s rematch of the 1982 European Cup final – which Villa won 1-0 – and Unai Emery’s current iteration of the former continental champions made lightning strike twice. Jhon Duran, Villa’s super substitute, needed merely nine minutes to make his mark, clinically lifting the ball over the esteemed Manuel Neuer. Now boasting two Champions League victories this season amidst an extraordinary run of form, Emery’s charges have secured six wins from their last seven matches in all tournaments, although their sole aberration was a 2-2 top-flight draw with Ipswich Town last weekend. Had the fifth-placed hosts not dropped two points at Portman Road, they would be vying with Liverpool for top spot. However, each of Villa’s last four encounters with Manchester United has seen the Red Devils emerge victorious. Manchester United skipper Fernandes, freshly exonerated from his Tottenham red card and three-game Premier League ban, is cleared to face Villa, whereas Luke Shaw (calf), Tyrell Malacia (knee), and Leny Yoro (foot) are sidelined. Mason Mount requires assessment after sustaining a knock.Villa’s momentous victory over Bayern came at a considerable cost, as the unfortunate Jacob Ramsey succumbed to an apparent groin injury. Amadou Onana and Leon Bailey are also doubtful.Tyrone Mings (knee), Boubacar Kamara (knee), and John McGinn (thigh) remain unavailable for Emery, who may now pair Duran with Ollie Watkins up front.

Given Villa’s rest advantage and Manchester United’s disjointedness, Emery’s side is tipped to extend their hot streak and secure a hard-fought win that might seal Ten Hag’s fate.Watch out for this thrilling encounter

Best Tip: Over 1.5

Correct score: 3-1