Manchester United play host to Aston Villa on New Year's Day with the opportunity to strengthen their bid for top spot in the Premier League standings.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has witnessed his side put together a nine-match unbeaten streak in the top flight, their latest victory coming against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday evening.

However, with United playing their third game in the space of a week, Solskjaer will almost certainly make changes to his starting XI for the visit of a team who sit four points adrift of his side in the table.

Here, Sports Mole predicts how United could line up for the showdown at Old Trafford on Friday evening.

Out: Phil Jones (knee), Marcos Rojo (calf)
Doubtful: Victor Lindelof (back)

> Click here for Man United's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Having been introduced as a half-time substitute against Wolves, Luke Shaw is likely to take the place of Alex Telles at left-back.

The other changes to the team should come further forward, with Fred and Scott McTominay expected to get the nod over Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba.

Anthony Martial is in line to come in for Edinson Cavani, although Mason Greenwood may retain his spot ahead of Daniel James, having been withdrawn after 64 minutes in midweek.

Bruno Fernandes will continue his run of appearances in the number-10 role, leaving Donny van de Beek to remain among the replacements.

Providing that he suffers no ill-effects from making two starts in quick succession, Eric Bailly should continue alongside Harry Maguire in the middle of the defence.

With Axel Tuanzebe able to provide cover on the substitutes' bench, that would allow Victor Lindelof to rest with a lingering back problem.

Video prediction

Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below: