“It could be the end for Erik ten Hag” - Chris Sutton predicts scoreline as Manchester United take on Aston Villa at Villa Park
Football pundit Chris Sutton has predicted a draw between Aston Villa and Manchester United in their upcoming Premier League clash. He believes the game will end in a 1-1 draw at Villa Park on Sunday, October 6.
In his BBC column, where he predicts Premier League games every week, the pundit claimed that Manchester United would play defensive as Erik ten Hag would be desperate to avoid a battering. He also believes that the Red Devils will get something from the game and wrote:
"The worry for Aston Villa is injuries - Amadou Onana limped off against Bayern Munich on Wednesday and Leon Bailey had to be subbed after coming on. I was at Villa Park for 5 Live and saw Bailey warming up on his own with a fitness coach before the game, so I suspect that was injury-related too, and I am also concerned about Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who was brilliant against Bayern, because it looked like he had a hamstring issue. But the main problem here is that I am writing this before Manchester United play Porto in the Europa League and, if they lose that, I may revisit my prediction for Sunday.
"If United are well beaten on Thursday, it could be the end for United boss Erik ten Hag if he also loses at Villa Park, especially if it is another bad defeat - the way you lose is important as well. If they get an absolute battering here, forget Erik ten Hag because it will be more like Erik ten minutes. I am not expecting that to happen, though. United are desperate for a result and I have a feeling they might get something here.
"I just wonder if after all the emotion of Wednesday night, Aston Villa feel drained and find it hard to raise themselves again. The atmosphere will definitely not be the same as it was, at 2pm on a Sunday, and that will help United - as well as any Villa absentees, because they are stretched."
Will Champion and Jonny Buckland from Coldplay were with Sutton for the predictions and they have backed Aston Villa to win 2-1.
Erik ten Hag under pressure at Manchester United
Erik ten Hag could get the sack at Manchester United if they lose to Aston Villa, as per Manchester Evening News. The Dutchman is said to be under immense pressure at Old Trafford after a poor start to the season.
The Red Devils have managed just two wins in six Premier League games, and are sitting 13th in the league. They were beaten at home by Tottenham Hotspur last week and are on a 4-match winless streak in all competitions since beating Barnsley 7-0 in the Carabao Cup in September.
Manchester United are also winless in the Europa League this season. They drew 1-1 at home to FC Twente and needed a injury time goal from Harry Maguire to get a point against FC Porto.