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Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is set to miss the match against Aston Villa due to a minor injury. The 20-year-old's future at Old Trafford is under question as he has not been a significant part of Ruben Amorim's plans this season. Mainoo, who is yet to start a Premier League game this season, will not be part of the squad facing Villa following reports of a minor injury sustained yesterday.

Amorim's team is also without Casemiro due to suspension, while Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire are still nursing injuries. Additionally, Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui are away on AFCON duty, adding to the list of absentees.

In Casemiro's absence, Amorim has selected Manuel Ugarte to partner Bruno Fernandes in central midfield. Patrick Dorgu and Benjamin Sesko have also been drafted into the starting line-up following the thrilling 4-4 draw with Bournemouth last Monday.

Despite the changes, United's impressive record of including an academy player in every matchday squad for the past 88 years remains intact.

Tyler Fredricson, Jack Fletcher, Shea Lacey and Bendito Mantato are among the substitutes.

A win at Villa Park would see the Red Devils leapfrog Liverpool into 5th place, while a victory for Villa would reduce Arsenal's lead at the top of the table to just three points.

Ahead of the match, Amorim urged Mainoo to fight for his place on the training ground if he wants to start matches for United.

He said: "Kobbie needs to fight for his job. I think that is not a bad thing to be on the bench of Manchester United when you are 20 years old.

"I remember [Cristiano] Ronaldo was on the bench, [Wayne] Rooney was on the bench sometimes. [Juan Sebastian] Veron was not playing.

"I remember all the history of Manchester United and nobody. So let's continue in trying to avoid the nonsense and the noise. I just want to help the team win. To help Kobbie to be a better player.

"I'm not trying to say to Kobbie, 'You are a big player here, let's put him on the bench to show something'. No, no. What I'm saying is the opposite.

"I'm just not putting Kobbie sometimes because I understand that this is not the right guy to start the game. Maybe the next game, on Sunday, he is going to start.

"If he plays well, he's going to show everyone. 'This guy cannot take me from the team', and I will be so happy, so I don't care. I don't want to show nothing to anyone.

"I'm just saying that I'm trying to win games and to show to the players that if you do the things right, you will play no matter what the name."