Dugout Discussion

Villa v Man Utd team news: Ronaldo’s absence explained, Digne starts

The most-captained ‘active’ player of Double Gameweek 22 is absent from Manchester United’s matchday squad this evening as the Red Devils prepare to face Aston Villa.

Kick-off in the Midlands is at 17:30 GMT.

Cristiano Ronaldo was handed the armband by over 1.5 million Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers in Gameweek 22, with 52% of the top 10k doing likewise.

He missed United’s cup clash with Villa on Monday as a precaution because of a hip issue but returned to training later in the week, with Ralf Rangnick saying in Friday’s pre-match press conference that he expected him to be fit for the weekend.

But he’s missing altogether at Villa Park, with FPL owners facing an anxious wait to see if he recovers for the match against Brentford on Wednesday – and Rangnick would only say that he was “hopeful” that that would be the case:

“With Cristiano, it’s unfortunately still the same problem with his hip flexor. He couldn’t train yesterday, and I had a conversation with him. After training, we decided that it doesn’t make sense if he’s not feeling fully fit to take the trip here. It makes sense to have treatment at home and then hopefully be available again for the game on Wednesday at Brentford.” – Ralf Rangnick

Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Marcus Rashford also miss out because of illness and a dead leg respectively, while Harry Maguire, Phil Jones and Jadon Sancho are only among the substitutes after their own recoveries from injury.

“Aaron (Wan-Bissaka) unfortunately is ill, that’s the reason why he couldn’t travel with us.

“Harry (Maguire) was out for two weeks, I’m happy to have him back in the squad again but I decided to stay with the two central defenders that played on Monday. With all the games coming up in the next couple of days, it’s most likely that he will play again then.

“Marcus (Rashford) conceded a dead leg two days ago in training. At first, it didn’t seem to be that bad, but overnight it got worse and he couldn’t train yesterday.” – Ralf Rangnick

All three of Rangnick’s changes from Monday’s cup tie are enforced, with Rashford sidelined and Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay suspended. Teenager Anthony Elanga, Alex Telles and Nemanja Matic come into the side.

As for Villa, one of their new signings starts and the other is on the bench.

Lucas Digne makes his debut and replaces Matt Targett at left-back, while Morgan Sanson is in for the suspended John McGinn in midfield.

Philippe Coutinho has to make do with a place among the substitutes.

DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 22 LINE-UPS

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Sanson, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey, Watkins, Ings, Buendia

Subs: Steer, Targett, Young, Coutinho, Hayden, Hause, Chukwuemeka, Archer, Iroegbunam

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Varane, Telles, Fred, Matic, Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes, Elanga, Cavani

Subs: Heaton, Henderson, Jones, Maguire, Mata, Lingard, Sancho, Van de Beek

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1,580 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Debauchy
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Brunoooo love it

  2. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Hahahaha

  3. Firmino
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Jesus, what a start...

  4. JJO
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Il capitanooooo

  5. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Bruuuno (C)

  6. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Lol Martinez, always was a glorified shot stopper

  7. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Wow.
    Who went bruno(c)
    I went ron (c)

  8. Dakers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Wow… just wow

    I actually can’t believe this. Why tf did I not just bring Bruno in as my one move

  9. Mika-eel
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    First of 3? Go Bruno!!

  10. BIGREDDOG
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Bruno EO?

  11. THAT'S LIFE
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Loltinez

  12. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Martinez captained Bruno

  13. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Skill from Bruno cappers, well played.

    2nd goal since GW4 😮

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 9 months ago

        Thank you, saw that the formation was back to normal and Ronaldo seemingly out

        1. THAT'S LIFE
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          ..and on pens

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              2 years, 9 months ago

              Yup this too

        2. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          Timing Fella timing

        3. Bubz
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          😛

      • @persecuted_by_mods
          2 years, 9 months ago

          No penaldo = Bruno is back!

        • Steve The Spud
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          How’s your luck Bruno cappers

        • C_G
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          brought Bruno in 2 min before deadline, left armband on Bowen.

          1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 9 months ago

            Still a decent move!

        • Bavarian
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          El capitanooooo

        • tiger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          Man U scored on 8 minutes on Monday and 6 today

        • Dakers
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          This is actually a nightmare… could hardly have gone worse. Cba anymore

        • Hooky
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          Cavani get a feather on that?

          1. _Ninja_
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 9 months ago

            No

            1. Hooky
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 9 months ago

              I want snicko

          2. @persecuted_by_mods
              2 years, 9 months ago

              Didn't even claim it

          3. Kodap
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 9 months ago

            Cba literally the worst thing that could happen after taking a -4 to bring in ronaldo & not Bruno

          4. dansmusen
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 9 months ago

            Brunooooooo C called it

          5. Nightcrawler
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 9 months ago

            Bruno Cappers unite!!!

            We LOVE to see it oh yes we do 😎

            1. Herger
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 3 Years
              2 years, 9 months ago

              WE MOVE

          6. HD7
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 9 months ago

            Fairplay to all the Bruno owners!

            I was considering Bruno (C) and Dennis but then news came from Rangnick that Ronaldo is "okay" so I bought him and Mount...

          7. Sun Jihai
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 9 months ago

            How long until the Digne YC?

          8. Londongeezaa
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 9 months ago

            I captained Ronnie with Bruno my vice.

            Mixed emotions 😐

          9. Steve The Spud
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 9 months ago

            Bruno cappers claiming it as a stroke of genius when he hits a tame shot that the keeper let’s in

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                2 years, 9 months ago

                Want some chips with that salt?

                1. Nightcrawler
                  • 5 Years
                  2 years, 9 months ago

                  nowhere to hide for bruno non owners

                2. DNML
                  • 8 Years
                  2 years, 9 months ago

                  He needs tequila

              • Wild Rover
                • 14 Years
                2 years, 9 months ago

                I’m claiming nothing apart from (minimum) 10 juicy scabby points 😎

              • Debauchy
                • 11 Years
                2 years, 9 months ago

                Yeah agree , Cpt , but that was the lucky one out the way

            2. La Roja
              • 12 Years
              2 years, 9 months ago

              Bruno(c) 😎

              1. Inverted into midfield
                • 8 Years
                2 years, 9 months ago

                Get in

            3. Dakers
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 9 months ago

              Ronaldo(c) (for a hit), fail. Lamptey, fail. Moura, probably gonna fail.

              DCL fail against Norwich of all bloody people. Dennis fails and likely doesn’t play on Tuesday.

              & Gallagher first sub. Wonderful, wonderful week

              1. Dušan Citizen
                • 10 Years
                2 years, 9 months ago

                why wouldn't he play on tuesday

                1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  2 years, 9 months ago

                  There is a chance that Burnley will try/ask to postpone the match.

            4. C_G
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 9 months ago

              Bruno not a bad differential, even tho I didnt C