Manchester United face Aston Villa in the English Premier League at Villa Park Saturday, on the back of two vital victories against Chelsea and Arsenal in contrasting fashion.
While the game against Blues was filled with controversy and goals, the one against Arsenal was assured and dominant. Both matches yielded United three points, and in turn helping them to the top of the table after ten games with 24 points, one ahead of Chelsea and two more than Manchester City.
As much as Sir Alex Ferguson might want to play up the good form of United to their attacking prowess as a whole, at the end of the day it all comes down to one man, who already looks like the signing of the season. While the likes of Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez have shown good form, Robin Van Persie has been outstanding -- the difference maker, picking up from where he left off for Arsenal, scoring goals for fun, and also setting up his teammates, when he is not smashing it into the back of the net.
The 29-year-old has so far proven to be worth every single cent of the transfer fee paid by United, showing in the game against Arsenal, just what Arsene Wenger has been missing. Van Persie was also instrumental in all of United's goals in the 3-2 win over Chelsea and it is hard to imagine where United would be without their Dutch striker this season.
Van Persie again made the difference in the Champions League game against Braga, coming off the bench to score the crucial equalizer which eventually helped United to a 3-1 win and with it a spot in the knockout rounds.
After the two high-voltage games against Chelsea and Arsenal, Aston Villa is expected to provide a much more sober examination, one that Ferguson is sure to welcome.
Villa have stumbled this season, and hardly looked convincing, particularly going forward, and lie in 17th position with just nine points from ten matches. Paul Lambert's team have scored just eight goals all season, even if they might be buoyed by a much-needed 1-0 victory against Sunderland last weekend, with Lambert finally hitting on the ideal 4-2-3-1 formation that suits his team.
Christian Benteke has looked the part up front, but you still feel Darren Bent with his goalscoring ability might give Villa bit more of a cutting edge in front of goal. However, Lambert clearly prefers Benteke, who is more willing to do the extra bit of work when Villa do not have possession, to Bent, and the former is set to start the game against United.
Bent was not even in the substitutes' bench for the game against Sunderland, with Lambert revealing the striker was struggling with an ankle injury. The England international remains a doubt for Saturday's game.
United winger Nani has been ruled out for ten days after picking up a hamstring problem in the game against Braga, while Jonny Evans is doubtfult for the game.
The Red Devils are at their best going forward, and with the likes of Van Persie and Rooney gelling well together, another goalfest looks in order against Villa.
Expected lineups: Aston Villa: Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett; Westwood, Bannan; Weimann, Ireland, Agbonlahor; Benteke.
Manchester United: De Gea; Evra, Smalling, Ferdinand, Rafael; Carrick, Cleverley, Valencia, Rooney, Van Persie, Hernandez.
Prediction: 2-0 to United
