Team news for Aston Villa encounter

Friday 22 July 2022 12:09

Every pre-season game - including Aston Villa (10:45 BST on Saturday) - will be shown live on the United App, MUTV and on ManUtd.com.

Manchester United appear in good shape ahead of our final Tour 2022 match in Australia, with Aston Villa providing the opposition in Perth.

The Optus Stadium friendly presents another opportunity for Erik ten Hag to assess his squad, following three successive wins against Liverpool, Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace.

Scott McTominay was absent from open training, instead working in the gym, so he may be a doubt. However, James Garner and Raphael Varane both took part in the session and look to be in contention to feature against the Midlanders.

Garner has yet to play on Tour 2022 after injury but Ten Hag has admitted he wants to have a look at the youngster, who spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, before deciding on his plans for the England Under-21 international.

Will Fish is available, despite his red card against Palace, and Academy youngster Hannibal may see some more game-time, with Ten Hag revealing he has been impressed by the Tunisia midfielder in training.

Recent recruits Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez will not be involved, obviously, as they are not linking up with the squad Down Under. Martinez's switch from Ajax has still to be finalised but both players could make their first appearances at some stage of next weekend.

United face Atletico Madrid in Oslo on Saturday 30 July before entertaining Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford a day later. Both games are live in the United App, and also on MUTV and ManUtd.com.

"Back in Manchester, Eriksen and Martinez will join and then we have more options," admitted the boss. "And I think they can quite quickly integrate into the team.

"We'll set conclusions when we are back in Manchester, then we have some days to train and we'll make our choices [as to when they'll play]."

Extended open training highlights: Perth Video

Extended open training highlights: Perth

Watch our full show from the WACA in Perth, as Ten Hag's squad train in front of fans and media...

ASTON VILLA'S TEAM NEWS

Manager Steven Gerrard has suggested his side will be full strength and similar to how the Midlanders are likely to line up when the Premier League campaign kicks off next month.

"We’ve prepared well and it’s the last push," he said at a press conference. "The tour’s been fantastic so far and we want to finish on a high.

“We’re a couple of weeks out from the start of the season, so we need to turn the dial now and we’ll introduce slightly more game-time to certain individuals. It’s the right time, they’re ready now. They’ve had enough volume in their legs so that we can really push certain individuals.

“It gives us another opportunity to rehearse the team, the style and how we want to play, so it’s a really important game for us.”

Tyrone Mings, Douglas Luiz, Emi Buendia and Ollie Watkins were among those to come on in the second half of the 1-0 win against Brisbane Roar, last time out, and Gerrard is certainly not looking short of options in every department.

Every pre-season game - including Aston Villa (10:45 BST on Saturday) - will be shown live on the United App, MUTV and on ManUtd.com.

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