Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be available for selection on Saturday evening, as Manchester United resume their Premier League campaign against Aston Villa at Villa Park.
The Portugal international missed out on Monday's FA Cup clash with Villa due to a hip complaint, making him a doubt for this weekend's contest with Steven Gerrard's side.
However, Man United interim head coach Ralf Rangnick has said that the 36-year-old should be available at Villa Park, providing that he does not suffer any fresh setbacks.
Ronaldo has been in impressive scoring form for the Red Devils during the 2021-22 campaign, finding the back of the net on 14 occasions in 21 appearances in all competitions.
The forward has struck eight goals and registered three assists in 16 Premier League outings, meanwhile, and will be looking to help his side return to winning ways in the league in Saturday's late start.
Here, Sports Mole looks at how Ronaldo has performed against Villa in the past.
© Reuters
Ronaldo has faced Villa on 15 occasions during his professional career, boasting a record of 13 wins, one draw and one defeat against them, while he has scored nine times and provided four assists.
The majority of the attacker's outings against Villa - 13 - have been in the Premier League, and he has won 11, drawn one and lost one of his fixtures versus the Lions in England's top flight.
Ronaldo has also tackled Villa on two occasions in the FA Cup, helping Man United triumph in the third round in both 2006-07 and 2007-08, but he was not involved in their FA Cup match on Monday due to injury.
The Portuguese did feature against the Villans in the Premier League earlier this season, though, playing the full 90 minutes, as the 20-time English champions suffered a 1-0 defeat.
© Reuters
Ronaldo scored twice in a 3-2 victory for Man United against Villa during the 2008-09 Premier League season, while he also starred against them during the 2007-08 campaign, netting one goal and providing three assists in the home league fixture at Old Trafford.
The former Sporting Lisbon youngster has also managed three goals at Villa Park, netting at the famous ground during the 2003-04 and 2006-07 Premier League campaigns, while he scored on Man United's trip to Villa in the third round of the FA Cup during the 2007-08 season.
The loss at Old Trafford earlier this season was actually the first time that Ronaldo had tasted defeat to Villa, winning 13 of his 14 outings against them during his first spell at the club.
A lot has changed at Man United since the Portuguese's departure for Real Madrid, and there have been suggestions that his return to Old Trafford last summer has caused issues in the dressing room.
Ronaldo has already managed 14 goals for the Red Devils this season, though, and he will be desperate to help his side get their top-four bid back on track with a success against Gerrard's side.
Matt Law
