The Preview: Man United vs Aston Villa
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Erling Haaland form
I'm starting to think that we need to talk about Erling Haaland. It's three goals in 11 games in the Premier League going back to Christmas now. City fans were quite happy to see him come off early in that game even though City were still chasing it.
Premier League title race
I think it's still Arsenal's to lose. If any team can lose it, it's probably Arsenal, but at the same time, they just about do enough. Given City's issues, you just have to favour Arsenal at this point.
Michael Carrick's future
I think Carrick has put himself in something that is approaching the best possible position. I don't think necessarily that Carrick's name would have been bandied around as a permanent candidate before this spell. He's certainly in the conversation.
I think he's proved himself worthy of being the man for the moment, but he hasn't proved himself worthy of being Manchester United's football club manager in the long term. We're going to find out a lot now because how you deal with adversity is a key test.
Premier League competitiveness
It's a brutal division. I do think this is one of the reasons that we're seeing English clubs suffer in Europe this week because you can't rest players for any match really. Every game is difficult.
Arsenal title race
Performances are a September thing. You don't need to be playing well at this time of year; it's all about results. I think it's those attributes that Arteta has instilled in them that will get them over the line if they can hold their nerve.
Manchester United objectives
We reported shortly after Carrick got the job that Jason Wilcox had set Champions League as the target for the remainder of the season. I don't think the Champions League can be underestimated here in its importance.
Aston Villa Europa League
If they overcome Lille, the other half of the draw is a lot easier. I think Porto and Villa are probably the strongest teams in the competition, and Emery knows the competition inside out. I think they've got a good chance of winning the whole thing.
Manchester United form
Carrick has repeatedly said through his time in charge so far not to get carried away, and I don't think anybody's getting too carried away right now. That was certainly the overwhelming feeling after Newcastle that it had been coming.
Man United vs Aston Villa
Villa are looking to complete the league double over Manchester United for the first time since the 1954-55 season, which is an astounding stat.
