Aston Villa vs Burnley was postponed just over two hours before kick-off on Saturday. The announcements came just hours after Prem chiefs vowed to plough on with the weekend programme - ignoring calls for a pre-Christmas Covid shutdown. Leicester and Tottenham were due to face each other earlier this week. But with both clubs heavily affected over the past week, their match was called off seven hours before kick-off. The decision comes after the midweek game between Burnley and Watford was halted only three hours before it was due to start.
He already has a deal in place to move upstairs and shape United's sporting direction, and will also help select a new permanent manager, but that uncertainty seems to be adding to the problem - especially among players who have contracts running down. Rangnick was brought in to put United on a clear direction for their future both on and off the pitch, but it seems the situation is just adding to the messy muddle over their identity and outlook.
It's something he needs to sort out now to avoid yet another wasted season. Steven Gerrard enjoyed some good and bad times at Old Trafford with Liverpool , and wouldn't you know the fixture list has thrown up back-to-back games against the old enemy - with Villa hosting United in the Premier League just five days after this FA Cup clash.
Gerrard's brought in former Liverpool team-mate Philippe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona , showing the pull he can have as a manager, and although the Brazilian is unlikely to figure on Monday he could make his debut against United at Villa Park in the league. Gerrard played 35 times against Man Utd with a record of W13 D2 L20 and he'll hope facing them as a manager for the first time is a happier occasion than his last as a player - when he was famously sent-off 38 seconds after coming off the bench as a half-time substitute at Anfield.
Villa will have Ollie Watkins and Tyrone Mings back after they missed the defeat at Brentford, which made it four wins and four defeats so far under Gerrard. He'd love to get something from his first managerial trip behind enemy lines. Especially as Bruno Fernandes blazed a stoppage time penalty high into the crowd. With Harry Maguire a doubt , Victor Lindelof only just back from Covid and Eric Baily on international duty, United do have defensive worries with the possibility of Phil Jones starting again at centre back.
Although neither manager was in charge the last time they met, expect a similar tight game, but after watching Wolves dominate then Villa will fancy they can also cause real problems.
And it's been a long time since Villa won an FA Cup tie, with the club having lost their last six games in the competition - that's the longest ever run for the seven-time winners.
We shouldn't be expecting too many goals given only two of the last nine Man Utd games have gone above 2. Under 2. He likely would have if he wasn't under so much pressure to get a result here so it's a risky move. United need to stay in for every piece of silverware they can at the moment. Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood would offer plenty in attack though, and this looks like a game Jesse Lingard could be involved in, having not played in a month but with his future at stake - Lingard could make an impact.
Bruno Fernandes should start after coming off the bench against Wolves, and you still feel he plays better when Ronaldo's not on the pitch and can be the main man. And Villa should be able to get plenty of the ball if United play like they did against Wolves. Villa should also get chances at set pieces with United not looking particularly well organised, while referee Michael Oliver could be busy as only two teams in the Premier League have been seen more yellow cards than these two sides.
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Read about how Scott McTominay helped maintain a sequence dating back to January The three men brought on against Villa provided positive moments towards the end of the tie. Thursday 30 December , , Old Trafford. Monday 03 January , , Old Trafford. Monday 10 January , , Old Trafford.
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