Brave battling from Aké at United

I thought Nathan Aké had a mixed game at Old Trafford. He may have felt a bit embarrassed by the way Rashford out manoeuvred him and Diego Rico in the first five minutes at Man United, but he came back to flash a good header past de Gea, before the end of the first half, and was worthy of being protected towards the end of the game when he had done his fair share of the work.

Nathan Aké got shown a trick or two by Marcus Rashford at Man Utd.

The value of Nathan Aké is being felt this season, even if he might not have reached quite the heights of what he achieved in 2017-18. He does not like losing and he hauls his body up and down the pitch as much as any centre-half trying to win headers and battle for balls where he is not always favourite. He has been ever present on the pitch this season apart from the last 10 minutes at old Trafford, and it is essential that AFCB keep hold of him during this January window.

I believe Aké would be even better if Howe can bring in one or two more world-class players in either January or the summer. He and Jefferson Lerma seem to ooze quality for me and it is not unnoticed that those are AFCB's biggest two transfers.

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At Old Trafford Nathan limped off at the end of the game, but if he has to miss out against Watford Bournemouth do have Jack Simpson and Tyrone Mings who can come in and Howe has to start looking at options at this point of the season.