MANCHESTER UNITED travel to Aston Villa on Saturday night WITHOUT Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese superstar has a thigh problem and Ralf Rangnick may be forced to switch formation and play a youngster or two as a result.
Ronaldo missed Monday’s 1-0 FA Cup third round victory over Villa with a hip injury.
But this is a separate problem picked up in training at Carrington on Thursday.
Ronaldo was looked at by United’s medical specialists before driving home where he will make use of his own private oxygen chamber he has had put in his house.
It aids recovery from injury by breathing pure air directly into blood plasma which repairs any damaged tissue.
As a result, Rangnick may be forced to decide how to win without Ronnie.
Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes were the attacking quartet against Villa in the Cup.
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But Anthony Elanga was given a huge ovation when he replaced Rashford in the 87th minute and he could be given a chance to shine from the start.
Rangnick has also been persisting with a 4-2-2-2 formation that has been widely criticised.
United were very fortunate to beat Villa and their form and results beforehand were hardly setting the world alight.
That is likely to see United line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Fred and Nemanja Matic will take their customary positions at the base of midfield – with Scott McTominay suspended.
And that will be in front of a back-four of Alex Telles – with Luke Shaw also suspended – Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane and Diogo Dalot.
Harry Maguire looks set to be available for selection again but may only be fit enough for a spot on the bench.
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David De Gea – who has arguably been the team's most consistent performer this season – will start between the sticks.
Jadon Sancho has been disappointing since his big-money arrival this summer but Rangnick could give him another shot in the starting XI.
And Greenwood and Donny van de Beek will also be available for selection.
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