Manchester United will take on Aston Villa on their own turf in this week's Premier League clash and it is destined to be an extraordinary match. Watskin's form this season has been nothing short of spectacular, and with our Lisandro Martinez out injured, it will be a big challenge for United. Ten Hag's centre-back options have been the focus of much discussion, given that Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire rarely play at the same time, and Victor Lindelof has just returned from injury, leaving the defence full of variety.
Watkins has been a big threat to Manchester United, with his only goal this season taking advantage of Martinez's absence. However, Watkins' good fortune did not seem to run out of luck as Martinez was still unavailable this time around, and Watkins avoided direct confrontation with the Argentine defender. We remember that last season when Watkins gave Villa the lead in the Carabao Cup, Maguire only rotated. Lima has only been in United for three months and has been recognised by the fans and his absence is deplorable, especially when the team needs him.
Truth be told, Diogo Dalot blocked a must-have goal against West Ham and it reminds me of Watkins' style of scoring – the handling of the ball in the air is our weakness. We've seen Harry Maguire make mistakes in that regard, but thankfully against West Ham didn't cause much damage. Watkins has been impressive this season, with 11 goals and 10 assists, making him a star for Villa since York in 1995-96. He signed a five-year contract extension with Villa last October, and it's almost impossible to poach him now, but it shows his quality.
Looking back at Manchester United's home game against Villa last April, Watkins was on a hot sheet but our defence managed to limit him and win the game 1-0. The defensive combination of Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw showed excellent performances, especially with Shaw's adaptability at centre-back.
However, in the coming games, Manchester United's defensive configuration could be very different. Raphael Varane may not be able to play back-to-back games due to a break, and the contract issues between Harry Maguire and Varane also leave a question mark over the future. Harry Maguire, in particular, was recognised for his resilience and ability to fight despite a mistake against West Ham. It would be a bold move if Ten Hag decides to start both Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane, as they have not had many appearances this season.
To sum up, Manchester United's defence faces no small challenge, and Watkins' form is hard to be underestimated. But United have their own strengths, such as resilience and tactical adaptability. While Martinez's absence is a loss, it is also an opportunity for other players to prove themselves. We're looking forward to this game and see if United can manage to limit Watkins again and put a great game on the table.