JAKARTA - Manchester United is not just chasing a record of five consecutive wins at home in the English Premier League when hosting Aston Villa at Old Trafford Stadium, Sunday, March 15, 2026 WIB. If you win, interim manager Michael Carrick will make an impressive record. However, Man Utd actually carries a mission not only to get three points.
A match that wrapped up anger and disappointment. How not, Villa who was comfortable occupying the third position and even almost approaching Arsenal's points but could be displaced by Man Utd. An irony because Man Utd quickly sped up by passing the teams above it.
Man Utd was still outside the top five when they fired Ruben Amorim. Only when Carrick was appointed as interim manager, he managed to bring Man Utd flying high.
They attacked their city rivals, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Not stopping there, Bruno Fernandes et al. successfully conquered the duo of London teams, Fulham and Crystal Palace, which made The Red Devils displace Villa.
They are now in third place after eight games with Carrick, Man Utd won six times, drew once and lost against Newcastle United. In the duel at home to Newcastle, they were forced to surrender 2-1.
The defeat tarnished Carrick's brilliant record. Fortunately, Man Utd still survived in third place with 51 points. The same as Villa, but Man Utd has a goal difference.
"It's always about the question of what comes next. How do you react? Whether you win or lose, how do the reactions come out," Carrick said.
"The next question is how you can show your best performance again. What is the motivation for the next match. I understand with this first defeat, the situation is indeed a little different. But it must happen. Moreover, we are in a very tight and heavy league," he said again.
Carrick believes the players have returned to focus on the home match against Ollie Watkins et al which is no less important. If they win, they can leave Villa and maintain their position in the top four.
Returning to the Champions League is Man Utd's target because it is difficult to catch up with Arsenal. They also failed in the FA Cup and the English League Cup so the only hope is to enter the top four in the Premier League.
"Almost all teams, if not every team, have had difficulties lately. So we have to try how we can improve ourselves and do better. As a team we also remain confident. This is obviously an important match," said Carrick.
Man Utd is aiming for victory not just to maintain their position in the top three. They also want to avenge themselves after losing 2-1 in the first meeting at Villa Park, December 2025.
Moreover, Man Utd actually has a brilliant record when hosting Villa. From 37 matches, they only have two with a record of 28 wins over their opponents.
In that match, Man Utd was able to be strengthened by defender Noussair Mazraoui who was absent in the match against Newcastle. However, the central defender Lisandro Martinez was absent again due to injury. He was followed by Mason Mount, Matthijs de Ligt and Patrick Dorgu who have not recovered from injury.
Meanwhile, Villa manager Unai Emery could not field two key players, Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara who suffered ankle and knee injuries.
Emery, who is said to be one of the candidates for Man Utd manager next season, also has to divide his focus because after playing in the domestic competition, they face Lille in the second leg of the Champions League 16th round.
Predicted Starting XI
Manchester United: Lammens; Mazraoui, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo, Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Aston Villa: Martinez; Bogarde, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Luiz, Onana, Sancho, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
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