Manchester United vs Aston Villa LIVE: FA Cup result, final score and reaction from third-round fixture tonight

Manchester United are a mess but that mess is through to the fourth round of the FA Cup. Aston Villa should really be the ones progressing to play Middlesbrough on the balance of play at Old Trafford last night, as Steven Gerrard’s side continue to quietly impress and gradually improve under a newly-appointed manager who is having a tangible, positive effect on his players. The same cannot yet be said of United and Ralf Rangnick.

But courtesy of Scott McTominay’s early header, United march on and Rangnick picked up a valuable win after a week in which his interim spell in charge has threatened to unravel. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s temporary successor is still moulding this big, bloated squad into his image; still waiting for a statement performance, and on this evidence, there is still a long way to go too, but at least he has a little more breathing room.

A response was needed after last week’s defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Villa will leave feeling that they played just as well as their neighbours in the west Midlands, only with nothing to show for their efforts. From the moment they went behind to McTominay’s header to the final whistle, they were the better side and fed off a febrile atmosphere, which was only heightened by Gerrard’s presence in the away dugout. Yet for all their opportunities and contentiously disallowed Danny Ings equaliser, they were eliminated. Follow all the reaction below as Man United beat Aston Villa:

Man United vs Aston Villa

• United through to face Middlesbrough at home in fourth round

• Man United XI: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Varane, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford, Cavani

• Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, Luiz, McGinn, J Ramsey, Buendia, Ings, Watkins

• 7’ - Unmarked McTominay heads in early opener for United

• 52’ - Ings nets from close range but goal ruled out for foul in build-up

• 59’ - Watkins also sees strike ruled out after offside flag against Ings

Reaction from Raphael Varane

22:11 , Michael Jones

Manchester United defender Raphael Varane says that he is happy with the result and the spirit in which his team played. Varane told BBC Sport:

Fortunate Manchester United squeeze past Aston Villa to set up FA Cup meeting with Middlesbrough

22:05 , Michael Jones

Manchester United are a mess but that mess is through to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Aston Villa should really be the ones progressing to play Middlesbrough on the balance of play at Old Trafford tonight, as Steven Gerrard’s side continue to quietly impress and gradually improve under a newly-appointed manager who is having a tangible, positive effect on his players.

The same cannot yet be said of United and Ralf Rangnick.

Fortunate Man United squeeze past Villa to set up FA Cup meeting with Boro

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:59 , Michael Jones

Manchester United rode their luck and managed to get through a difficult FA Cup fixture in which they were the second best team. Too often they were passengers in the game and needed VAR to come to the rescue to disallow Danny Ings’ equaliser.

Full-time: Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:53 , Michael Jones

90+6 mins: Manchester United have won it! Villa twice had the ball in the back of the net but both times the goals were struck off. They’ll feel hard done by but there will be no complaints about Scott McTominay’s winning goal.

Job done for Ralf Rangnick who’s team are through to the fourth round and will face Middlesbrough.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:50 , Michael Jones

90+5 mins: El Ghazi snatches at a shot from the right side of the box but boots it high and wide. David De Gea restarts the game with a long ball up to Elanga who runs it towards the byline and wins a corner.

United are unable to keep it in the corner and the ball is given to Martinez who mishits a long ball and sends it straight out of play.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:47 , Michael Jones

90+3 mins: Van de Beek stops a run from Douglas Luiz and threads the ball bal to Lingard. He takes the ball over to the right hand corner and does brilliantly to shake off three defenders and give the ball to Greenwood. He cuts inside and blasts a left-footed shot at goal but can’t beat Martinez.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:45 , Michael Jones

90 mins: There’s going to be six minutes of added time to play. That’s plenty of time for another goal, will we see one?

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:44 , Michael Jones

87 mins: Villa win a corner that McGinn swings into the box. Konsa and Shaw come together at the back post with Konsa running into Shaw’s outstretched arm. He takes a knock to the face and goes down. There’s blood pumping from Konsa’s nose as the medical team come out to see to him.

Time is running out for Villa to get an equaliser. Manchester United seem to have regained a degree of control.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:41 , Michael Jones

84 mins: Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford are taken off by Ralf Rangnick with Jesse Lingard and Anthony Elanga come on for the final few minutes.

Jacob Ramsey also goes off for Villa with Jaden Philogene-Bidace the man to come on. Is there a final twist to this game?

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:36 , Michael Jones

81 mins: Steven Gerrard goes to the bench for Aston Villa’s first change. Anwar El Ghazi comes on to replace Emiliano Buendia.

Rashford gives the ball away but Greenwood manages to recover it and urge United forward. Fred gives it to Fernandes who carries the ball down the right side. He switches the play back over to the Brazilian who’s made a run into space on the left. Fred comes up against Ramsey and wins a corner.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:33 , Michael Jones

78 mins: With Cavani’s substitution Fernandes is the furthest player forward for Man Utd. McGinn flicks a cross into the penalty area but Varane heads it clear easily enough. He tries to knock the ball up to Fernandes but Mings is on to it quickly and keeps up the pressure from Aston Villa.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:30 , Michael Jones

75 mins: Chance! Huge chance for Man Utd to close out this game as Greenwood is played in behind Targett with a simple ball over the top. He carries the ball into the box and rolls it onto his left foot before sending a shot at goal. Martinez dives to his right and keeps it out but he fumbles the ball. Luckily for him Rashford has stopped his own run and can’t get to the ball before the Villa goalkeeper gets it back under control.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:28 , Michael Jones

73 mins: Edinson Cavani is taken off by Ralf Rangnick and gets replaced with Donny van de Beek who receives a loud round of applause from the delighted Manchester United fans.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:26 , Michael Jones

71 mins: There’s going to be a sending off soon. Dalot slides in behind on Targett. He wins the ball but cleans out the man in the process and gets booked too. United have picked up three yellows in the space of a few minutes and it could have been more.

Ollie Watkins gets on the end of an attempted clearance and curls a left-footed shot back at goal. It hits it well and causes De Gea to scramble across to get it out. He doesn’t get there in time but luckily for United the effort goes wide.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:23 , Michael Jones

68 mins: The second half has been all Aston Villa. They firmly believe that they can get back into this game. The work the ball up the pitch and Ramsey darts inside from the left. He nutmegs Shaw but gets checked by the left-back and wins a free kick in a good area. Shaw is the latest Man Utd player to see a yellow card.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:21 , Michael Jones

65 min: Yellow card for Fred! Things have been heating up in the middle of the pitch with tackles flying in left and right. The referee has been letting a few fouls go but Fred leaves a leg out for Douglas Luiz to trip over and is shown a card.

Rashford then goes sliding into a tackle on McGinn with his studs a litte high. He just gets to the ball and pokes it out for a throw in which stops him from joining Fred in the book.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:19 , Michael Jones

62 mins: Cash sends a throw in over the head of Varane who misjudges the flight of the ball and allows Ings to get in behind him. He tries to get back in position as Ings feeds a square pass into the area but luckily for the centre-back Lindelof is covering and clears the danger.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:16 , Michael Jones

59 mins: That’s not going to improve the mood! Villa have another goal disallowed. Some lovely passing in the middle of the pitch sees Buendia slip the ball through the Man Utd defence and play Ings in behind. He takes the ball into the box and flicks it over De Gea. Lindelof attempts to get back to clear the danger but misses the ball and Watkins arrives over his shoulder to tap it into the open net.

The celebrations have barely begun though before they’re cut short as the offside flag goes up against Danny Ings. At least this decision is a fairly obvious one.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:13 , Michael Jones

56 mins: Manchester United have got very lucky there. The foul on Cavani was minimal in my opinion and probably wouldn’t have affected the goal in any case. The officials thought differently and Aston Villa find themselves behind again.

John McGinn throws himself into a heavy tackle and gives away a free kick. There’s a great deal of frustration on the faces of the Villa players now.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:10 , Michael Jones

53 mins: NO GOAL! VAR gets involved to check that the goal should stand and after taking an age to see if Watkins and Ings were onside as the ball comes across to them, referee Michael Oliver, is called over to the monitor to assess whether Jacob Ramsey fouled Edinson Cavani in the build-up. The referee judges that there is a foul there and the goal is chalked off.

GOAL! Man Utd 1 - 1 Aston Villa (Ings, 50’)⚽️

21:05 , Michael Jones

50 mins: Equaliser! Shaw fouls Matty Cash on the right wing and gives Aston Villa a free kick. The set piece is floated deep into the penalty area where Ezri Konsa pops up at the back post. He heads the ball into the six-yard where Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings squeeze in front of the United defenders. The ball hits Ings in the face then drops onto his knee before bouncing into the back off the net!

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:03 , Michael Jones

48 mins: It hasn’t been the best of starts to the second half from either team. United give the ball away in their own half and then a misplaced pass backwards from Villa sees Cavani bursting forward on a counter-attack. He feeds the ball out to Fernandes on the left who chips the ball into the box for Rashford. Rashford is challenge by a back-tracking Douglas Luiz who knocks the ball out for a corner.

Second half: Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

21:01 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Aston Villa restart the match. Steven Gerrard won’t be too worried about the state of things just yet, his team have shown enough signs to get themselves back into this game.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

20:59 , Michael Jones

The draw for the FA Cup fourth round took place yesterday so the winner of tonight’s match already know who they’ll face in the next round. Either Manchester United or Aston Villa will face Championship side Middlesbrough at home so it’s in both of their best interests to go for it tonight.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

20:53 , Michael Jones

That was an entertaining first half at Old Trafford. Manchester United started as the better side and quickly went in front through Scott McTominay. Then their old mistakes slipped in and Aston Villa were given space to operate in United’s final third.

The visitors had a few good chances and David De Gea once again showed why he is United’s number one goalkeeper. As the half drew to a close United found their feet again and created the best chance of the half for Marcus Rashford but he was denied by a goalline clearance from Matty Cash.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

20:49 , Michael Jones

Scott McTominay’s eighth minute goal is the difference between the two sides at half-time. Two of United’s much maligned players, Fred and McTominay, combined to put the home side in front.

Half-time: Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

20:45 , Michael Jones

45+3 mins: Chance! This is Man Utd’s best chance for another goal. Fernandes flicks the ball over the top and plays Rashford in behind the sleeping Villa defenders. Rashford flies into the penalty area from the right and guides a shot towards the far corner. Cash sprints back to help out and manages to keep the ball from crossing the line with a sliding block.

It’s the last action of the half and United take a one-goal lead into the break.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

20:42 , Michael Jones

45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play at the end of the half. Rashford brings down a long ball and drives it towards the box. He passes it over to Cavani on the left side of the area and he lays it back to Fernandes. Fernandes shoots with the outside of his right foot but sends his effort high and wide.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

20:40 , Michael Jones

42 mins: The game’s getting a little fiesty. Both teams are putting in some heavy challenges and there’ll be a few players with little bruises tomorrow.

Douglas Luiz leaves a bit too much on Rashford and gives United a free kick in a dangerous area. It’s a fair way out to beat a goalkeeper as good as Martinez but Rashford goes for it anyway. He drills the free kick low but doesn’t beat the wall.

The ball ricochets out to Shaw and on the left side. He flicks the ball into the box and a headed clearance sends it to McTominay. He meets the dropping ball on the volley and fires a shot straight into the hands of Martinez.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

20:35 , Michael Jones

39 mins: Chance! Shaw feeds the ball to Rashford who dribbles into space and passes it across to Dalot. He plays it in to Greenwood who cuts inside and darts into the box. He flicks a pass over to the back post where it’s headed out as far as Fernandes. He drills a shot at goal but Cash blocks it deep in the box!

The ball comes out to Shaw who goes for goal from range but his effort takes a deflection and heads over the goal. Manchester United are turning up the heat on Aston Villa now.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

20:31 , Michael Jones

36 mins: Diogo Dalot is down for Man Utd and there’s a bit of blood on display. He’s taken off his boot and it looks as though there’s a cut just above the ankle. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is sent out to warm up but the physios have patched Dalot’s leg and it looks for the time being as though he’ll play on.

Douglas Luiz takes the corner for Villa and whips the ball in to Ings who heads it straight out of play.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

20:28 , Michael Jones

33 mins: Chance! Villa get to the byline down the right wing and whip a cross into the box. The ball comes over to Targett on the left side of the box, he heads it down to Ings who lays the ball off to Ramsey just outside the box. Ramsey sidefoots a shoot towards the bottom corner but the ball deflects off McTominay and goes achingly wide of the near post!

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

20:26 , Michael Jones

30 mins: Off the bar! United are becoming sloppy. Victor Lindelof switches off as he tries to control a clearance from Mings. His first touch is awful and knocks the ball into his own box. Watkins sprints past the centre-back and recovers the ball. He switches it onto his right-foot and whacks one at goal, striking the underside of the crossbar from close range!

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

20:24 , Michael Jones

27 mins: Save! Lovely interplay between Watkins and Buendia just outside the 18-yard box sees Buendia open up enough space for a shot from range. He hits it low and hard but De Gea leaps across to keep it out.

Fernandes shifts the ball through the middle of the pitch and drives towards the Villa box. He plays in Cavani who shoots from the right side of the area and forces Martinez into a sharp reactionary save from close range!

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

20:21 , Michael Jones

24 mins: Almost. Man Utd work the ball over to Greenwood on the right wing having no success down the left. Greenwood dribbles the ball at Targett and draws in the defender before shifting the ball around him and driving into the box. He weaves away from Konsa as well but is met by the covering Mings just as he lets fly on as shot that sails over the crossbar.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

20:17 , Michael Jones

21 mins: Fred slices another decent pass over the top to play Rashford in behind from the left. Martinez comes flying out of his penalty area to beat the United man to the ball and is forced to head it out of play after misjudging how close Rashford is to the ball.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

20:15 , Michael Jones

18 mins: Chance! Poor defending from Manchester United who allow John McGinn to run across the front edge of the box and blast a left-footed shot at David De Gea who parries the ball away with a decent save. Danny Ings tries to get to the rebound but he’s flagged offside and United are awarded a free kick.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

20:13 , Michael Jones

16 mins: Ollie Watkins brings the ball to the edge of United’s box before laying it off to Buendia. McTominay gets back and wins the ball with a well-timed tackle. Buendia makes a meal of the challenge and theatrically goes to gorund but the referee isn’t hoodwinked and he lets play go on with United flying forward on the counter.

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

20:11 , Michael Jones

13 mins: Chance! Emiliano Buendia goes on a great solo run after picking up the ball in United’s half. He’s allowed to run past three or four Man Utd players before carrying the ball into the box and snatching at a shot across goal. It’s heading wide as Danny Ings slides towards the ball. A touch from the striker would turn it into the back of the net but he just can’t get to it!

Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa

20:08 , Michael Jones

11 mins: United have been good over these opening 10 minutes or so, They’ve made full use of the wide areas with Rashford and Greenwood and have moved the ball quickly.

Villa come close to an equaliser from a corner of their own but Victor Lindelof smuggles it wide at the back post.

GOAL! Man Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa (McTominay 8’)⚽️

20:04 , Michael Jones

8 mins: Manchester United have the first goal! Mason Greenwood wins a corner for the home side after running at Matt Targett. The initial ball isn’t great but it comes back out to Greenwood on the right side. He slots it to Fred who flicks a teasing ball into the middle of the box. McTominay has stayed in the area and he rises above four white shirts to win the header and guide it past Martinez into the near, bottom corner.

Man Utd 0 - 0 Aston Villa

20:02 , Michael Jones

6 mins: Shaw gives the ball to Fernandes who’s made a decent run to the left of the Aston Villa box. He crosses the ball into the area hoping to pick out Cavani but Emi Martinez is off his line quickly to cling onto the aerial ball.

Rashford has started well. He receives the ball out wide and brings it into the middle looking for the ideal spot to shoot. A couple of dummies and a shimmy to the right gets him into position but his shot is easily blocked. The ball bounces out to McTominay who belts a low shot at goal from outside the box but Martinez is in behind the ball and smothers it easily enough.

Man Utd 0 - 0 Aston Villa

20:00 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Scott McTominay fires a good diagonal pass out to Rashford on the left wing. He brings the ball under control and takes it into the box squaring up against Matty Cash. He weaves around the defender but can’t find enough space for a shot and is forced to retreat. He gives the ball to Cavani who slides it into the feet of Fernandes in the area but he get tackled and Villa clear the lines.

Man Utd 0 - 0 Aston Villa

19:57 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Bruno Fernandes kicks off the match for Man Utd with the home side bootin the ball down the left wing. Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford press forward to recover the ball and win a throw in. Shaw takes it and sends back towards United’s defence.

Man Utd vs Aston Villa

19:54 , Michael Jones

Here come the teams. Bruno Fernandes leads out the home team with Tyrone Mings back in charge of Aston Villa. Steven Gerrard got a frosty reception from the home fans as he made his way to the dugout.

Middlesbrough and a home tie await the winners of this game in the next round. Both teams have fielded strong sides so we should be in for a good affair tonight. Kick off is next.

Man Utd vs Aston Villa

19:51 , Michael Jones

Tonight is the first time Steven Gerrard has returned to Old Trafford since calling quits on his playing career. He spoke to the BBC before kick off about returning to home of his old enemy saying:

“It is about the game, not about me. We are looking forward to it. Our record in the FA Cup in the last few years hasn’t been good enough and we want to put that right tonight.

“We are not involved in any European competition, we play a game a week to the end of the season so we want a good cup run. Coming here is going to be tough, we are going to have to be at it.”

Man Utd vs Aston Villa

19:47 , Michael Jones

Kick off is just 10 minutes away and the warm ups at Old Trafford are almost over. This should be a good game and the outcome will depend on which Manchester United turn up.

If they’re are passive and sluggish there is enough talent in the Aston Villa team to take advantage and score goals but United dominate the ball and move it quickly it could be a tough night for the visitors.

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Harry Maguire says Manchester United deserve criticism and they must justify wearing shirt

19:42 , Michael Jones

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire admits the team deserve recent criticism and have to show they have what it takes to pull on the shirt.

The Red Devils suffered a first defeat under interim manager Ralf Rangnick with a 1-0 Premier League home defeat by Wolves on Monday night.

United’s meek performance was followed by reports about a poor mood inside the dressing room, and on the back of being branded “a bunch of whinge-bags” by former defender turned TV pundit Gary Neville during half-time of the 1-1 draw at struggling Newcastle.

Harry Maguire says Man Utd deserve criticism and they must justify wearing shirt

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Rangnick explains team selections

19:39 , Michael Jones

Ralf Rangnick has explained why there is no Cristiano Ronaldo or Jadon Sancho in the squad for Manchester United tonight. The answer is injury, both players have had niggling problems and Rangnick has chosen to rest them for tonight’s cup game.

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Gerrard on tough draw

19:35 , Michael Jones

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard says that to be drawn against Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup (the first for Premier League teams) is a tough beat.

“We’ve been given a really tough draw - to go to Old Trafford in the opening round. There were certainly kinder draws out there for us, but you get what you’re given.” said Gerrard

“You have to prepare your team in the best possible way. Any time you go to Old Trafford with the level of player they’ve got, you know you’re going to be in for a really tough game.We’ll go there with the strongest possible team we’ve got available to try and get the best result we can.”

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Steven Gerrard not underestimating size of Aston Villa’s task in facing Manchester United

19:30 , Michael Jones

Steven Gerrard says Ralf Rangnick needs time to put his stamp on Manchester United and insists Aston Villa are not under-estimating the size of their FA Cup task at Old Trafford.

Interim United boss Rangnick has had a turbulent week after a first defeat of his reign to Wolves was followed by reports of dressing room disharmony, with as many as 17 players said to be unhappy.

But Villa boss Gerrard is taking no notice of the noise swirling around United, as the former Liverpool midfielder makes his FA Cup managerial bow against a familiar adversary.

Steven Gerrard not underestimating size of Villa’s task in facing Manchester United

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Dalot on the FA Cup

19:26 , Michael Jones

Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot says the FA Cup is the best domestic cup competition that he’s played in and wants to be ifting the trophy at the end of the season. He said:

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: The last meeting

19:20 , Michael Jones

Manchester United and Aston Villa’s last meeting was full of late drama. Playing at Old Trafford, Aston Villa kept United at bay and eventually took the lead in the 88th minute through a solid Kortney Hause header.

Hause then gave away a penalty in stoppage-time and Bruno Fernandes smoked it over the crossbar to give Villa the win.

You have to go back to 2008 for the last FA Cup meeting between the teams. Manchester United won 2-0 that day with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo getting the goals.

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Raphael Varane keen to help Manchester United end five-year trophy drought

19:14 , Michael Jones

Raphael Varane wants to help Manchester United end their five-year wait for a trophy by adding the FA Cup to his medal-laden CV. Already out of the Premier League title race and Carabao Cup the Red Devils only have two remaining routes to silverware this season.

United take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 and kick-off their FA Cup campaign at home to Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa on Monday night.

Raphael Varane keen to help Manchester United end five-year trophy drought

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: FA Cup history

19:10 , Michael Jones

Manchester United and Aston Villa both have successful history in the FA Cup. United have won the competition 12 times with their most recent success coming in 2016 (2-1 vs Crystal Palace) while Aston Villa have seven titles although the most recent of those came 65 years ago.

In head-to-head meetings in the competition Man Utd have the better record over the years winning 10 of the 12 games played between the sides.

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Gerrard on tonight’s game

19:05 , Michael Jones

Villa boss Steven Gerrard spoke about how important tonight’s game was for Aston Villa’s plans this season and he’s certainly backed up his words with his team selection.

Gerrard, who lifted the FA Cup twice as a player, said that Villa are coming to Old Trafford to win the game and make it into the fourth round and he has named arguably his strongest side to take on Man Utd this evening. Gerrard said:

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Team changes

19:02 , Michael Jones

Ralf Rangnick makes five changes to the Manchester United starting XI that lost to Wolves last time out. There is no Cristiano Ronaldo in the squad so Marcus Rashford joins Edinson Cavani up top. Bruno Fernandes returns to the line-up and Fred slots in alongside Scott McTominay. In defence there is a return for Victor Lindelof who partners Raphael Varane and Diogo Dalot is selected in front of Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back.

Steven Gerrard makes just two changes to the Aston Villa team that lost to Brentford. Tyrone Mings comes back in at cntre-back replacing Kortney Hause and Ollie Watkins returns in place of Bertrand Traore.

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Line-ups

18:55 , Michael Jones

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Varane, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford, Cavani

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey, Buendia, Ings, Watkins

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Edinson Cavani tells Ralf Rangnick he wants to stay at Manchester United

18:52 , Michael Jones

Edinson Cavani has told Ralf Rangnick that he wants to stay at Manchester United and help improve the team’s fortunes.

The 34-year-old joined the Old Trafford giants in October 2020 and was strongly tipped to leave after just one season, only to agree to stay for a further campaign.

There was more speculation about his future heading into the January transfer window but Rangnick told Cavani that he had no intention of letting him leave as Barcelona reportedly eyed a move.

Edinson Cavani tells Ralf Rangnick he wants to stay at Manchester United

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Gerrard on Coutinho

18:49 , Michael Jones

It was a surprising announcement when Aston Villa revealed that Philippe Coutinho was joining the club on loan from Barcelona for the rest of the season.

Manager Steven Gerrard, a former teammate of Coutinho’s at Liverpool, spoke about the signing and how he hopes Coutinho’s experience will benefit the rest of the Aston Villa squad. Gerrard said:

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Rangnick on the magic of the FA Cup

18:45 , Michael Jones

Ralf Rangnick was asked in his pre-match press conference what his views on the FA Cup were being from Germany and the Manchester United interim boss had an interesting response.

He spoke about his time as a student in England and going to see the 1980 FA Cup final between West Ham and Arsenal and about how great the atmosphere was back at the old Wembley ground before transitioning to his thoughts to how good it would be to recreate that with Man Utd come May.

Rangnick said:

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Recent results

18:39 , Michael Jones

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire says the clubs recent results haven’t been good enough and he wants the team to turn that around starting tonight. United have put in some lacklustre performances in their last four Premier League games but they’ve managed to win two, draw one and lose one. That loss came last time out when the Red Devils wre comfortably outplayed at Old Trafford a week ago by Wolves who went on to win 1-. Even if United lose tonight, a good team performance is crucial to getting the fans back on board with Ralf Rangnick’s vision.

December was a hit and miss month for Aston Villa as they lost three of their five Premier League games (against Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea) but won the other two (Leicester and Norwich). Manager Steven Gerrard will be disappointed with their start to the new year as well after they squandered a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 away to Brentford just over a week ago. Gerrard has already brought in reinforcements - in the form of Philippe Coutinho - and may want to give Villa an extended cup run.

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Early team news

18:32 , Michael Jones

Eric Bailly has gone to the African Cup of Nations and Harry Maguire hasn’t yet resumed training for Manchester United so both players are expected to miss tonight’s FA Cup match against Aston Villa.

Also out is Paul Pogba with Rinterim boss Ralf Rangnick confirming that Pogba has another six-eight weeks of rehabilitation before he can play again but Victor Lindelof should be fit enough to make the squad.

For Aston Villa, Tyrone Mings and Ollie Watkins missed the 2-1 loss to Brentford last time out but are both back in contention for staring places.

Meanwhile Villa are without Bertrand Traoré and Trezeguet who have also gone to the Africa Cup of Nations and Marvelous Nakamba and Leon Bailey who are both injured.

What should Manchester United fans expect from incoming chief executive Richard Arnold?

14:48 , Karl Matchett

It can appear as if the more things change at Old Trafford, the more they stay the same. On the surface, that would also appear to be the case with Richard Arnold succeeding Ed Woodward.

Woodward will step down as Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman and most senior official at the beginning of next month after an eight-and-a-half year reign in which success has been measured on balance sheets rather than in the trophy cabinets. Woodward himself would admit that much.

Four managers, no Premier League titles and more than £1bn spent on a mixed bag of signings is not the full extent of his legacy, and does not account for the volatility of taking over upon the departure of a legendary manager in Sir Alex Ferguson, but it is what he will be remembered for and not unfairly so.

Arnold – whose official title will be chief executive, rather than Woodward’s executive vice-chairman – is in many ways the continuity candidate. He has been the frontrunner for the job since his friend and colleague announced his impending departure last April, upon the collapse of the doomed Super League project.

Mark Critchley tells United fans what to expect from him in the job:

What should Man United fans expect from new chief executive Richard Arnold?

Ralf Rangnick wants Man United to win FA Cup

14:46 , Karl Matchett

Manchester United need all the knowhow and quality they can get as they look to end what is now a five-year wait for a trophy.

Their Premier League title hopes have long since evaporated and Ralf Rangnick’s side welcome Aston Villa on Monday in the final FA Cup fixture of the third round.

“I’ve always been a big fan, supporter and admirer of the FA Cup,” the 63-year-old said. “I remember back in 1980 or 1981 when I spent my year abroad in Brighton I watched the FA Cup final at Wembley

“It was West Ham against Arsenal, it was my farewell present from my team-mates at Southwick. I’ve always been a big admirer of the atmosphere, that was obviously the old Wembley stadium.

“For me it’s a very important competition. We will definitely try to play with our best possible team in that game and a strong team.

“We take the game as seriously as we can and hopefully get one round further ahead but in order to do that we have to be successful against Aston Villa.

“We know it will not be an easy game because especially since they change managers they have been doing well.

“They won four games and lost four games, three of them against the top team. It needs a top performance from us to be successful.”

Full report:

Edinson Cavani tells Ralf Rangnick he wants to stay at Manchester United