“Its obvious that they will win Aston Villa with this top players that recently returned. Including Bruno Fernandes who will return after suspension. The fans are very happy” Two Manchester United players in line to return vs Aston Villa as Erik ten Hag is getting his most important players back to the team

Five academy graduates started for Man United in the defeat at West Ham, including 19-year-old debutant Willy Kambwala.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is hopeful Raphael Varane will return for the Boxing Day game at home to Aston Villa.Varane missed the 2-0 defeat at West Ham on Saturday through illness as Ten Hag was forced to give a full debut to 19-year-old centre half Willy Kambwala.

Amad is also under consideration for his first inclusion in a United matchday squad since December 2021. The 21-year-old has been involved in team training for two weeks, having recovered from a knee injury sustained during pre-season in July.”I think hopefully Rapha Varane will return,” Ten Hag said. “So for the rest: maybe Amad Diallo. See how far he is. He has trained for two weeks now. They are probably the ones who can maybe return.”

Ten Hag confirmed Anthony Martial is still unwell. Martial has not played for United since he was cheered off by some supporters during the 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth on December 9.

Martial, 28, is out of contract at the end of the season and United are unlikely to trigger the one-year extension in his deal. Ten Hag suggested United would not seek to sell Martial next month, though: “When we have news then, of course, I will tell it. But that is not our aim.”Villa are third in the Premier League table and 11 points clear of United, who are the league’s joint-second lowest scorers.Although Villa have only won twice at Old Trafford in the Premier League era, they ended a wait of more than 27 years to beat them at Villa Park in the league last season in coach Unai Emery’s first match in charge.