Man United v Aston Villa LIVE: Rasmus Hojlund scores first Premier League goal to complete comeback win

Manchester United continue to endure their latest crisis under Erik ten Hag after a humbling at West Ham, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe agreeing a deal to purchase 25 percent of the club.

Ten Hag is therefore desperate for points to ease the pressure, while injuries continue to further heighten the difficulty of the task with Aston Villa visiting Old Trafford this evening.

Unai Emery’s side have been surprise title contenders so far this season, but must bounce back after a frustrating draw at home to Sheffield United, making this an intriguing contest with both sides likely to push for victory.

Follow all the updates from the Premier League’s festive schedule, plus team news and all live action from Old Trafford below - plus check out the latest odds and tips for the festive football here.

Man Utd v Aston Villa

• FT: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

• GOAL! Garnacho hits equaliser - Manchester United 2-2 Aston Villa

• GOAL! Garnacho scores - Manchester United 1-2 Aston Villa

• VAR goal disallowed! Garnacho’s goal ruled out for offside - Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa [50’]

• HT: Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

• GOAL! Dendoncker scores his side’s second - Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa [26’]

• GOAL! McGinn scores direct from a free kick - Manchester United 0-1 Aston Villa [22’]

• MUN: Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Dalot, Mainoo, Eriksen, Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund

• AVL: Martinez, Konsa, D Carlos, Lenglet, Digne, McGinn, Dendoncker, Luiz, J Ramsey, Bailey, Watkins

Manchester United FC 3 - 2 Aston Villa FC

FT: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

23:00 , Sonia Twigg

Finally, here is a match report from Rich Jolly at Old Trafford:

Sir Dave Brailsford has taken sportsmen to Olympic gold medals and Tours de France wins. It would be an exaggeration to say a new face in the Old Trafford directors’ box was a galvanising force but as regime change is coming, Manchester United could at least savour a shift in their fortunes. Wretched in the first half, revived in the second, they produced a comeback that was both spirited and timely: not least, perhaps, for Erik ten Hag, who had endured the Aston Villa fans’ taunts that he would be sacked and then oversaw his best win of the season in front of a new powerbroker.

Garnacho the architect of Manchester United’s most timely of revivals

FT: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

22:50 , Sonia Twigg

Here is a line from Aston Villa manager Unai Emery to Amazon Prime: “It’s amazing, 39 points...

“On tonight, 60 minutes fantastic. Manchester United, when they score the first goal with the supporters here they came back with the atmosphere pushing them and they have very good players.”

FT: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

22:46 , Sonia Twigg

When asked how United are going to build consistency following their victory, Fernandes said: “I don’t want to speak about that, because we have had so many post-match interviews saying ‘we are going to build it after this...’ and we didn’t so.

“But I said that many times, even when the season started we knew that our aims are higher than where we are at at the moment but we have to look game by game.

“Because we are not in a position to look at big things, we have to understand the reality we are and we have to go step-by-step because we have to understand that.

“First of all we need to get the basics right and after we are going to get the results and the goals and the performances.”

FT: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

22:41 , Sonia Twigg

Fernandes added: “As I said, Rasmus hasn’t scored (for a while) but it doesn’t matter he scored today.

“The belief has to be there because you believe in each other. Sometimes you get to start to think ‘I’m not good enough to be here’ when things are not going well it doesn’t matter how confident you are or how brave you are, you always have that.

“But it’s the way that you fight to get over that and get results...”

FT: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

22:37 , Sonia Twigg

Bruno Fernandes spoke to Amazon Prime, saying: “We know as a striker he needs to score goals and he is eager to do it and all we want is our strikers to have confidence enough to get more goals and he knows it is he is going to have pressure.

“He is playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world and he knows that playing for this club he will have a lot of attention.”

“We really need him to score goals like every striker in the team, not only them but in front we need them to be as confident as possible to have chances and score goals.”

FT: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

22:35 , Sonia Twigg

When asked if Hojland was going to be withdrawn, before Rashford’s injury, Ten Hag said: “They worked so hard and one of the strikers had to come off, we wanted to bring a new energy and we saw that Rashford hurt himself - I think we created more and I am so pleased Rasmus Hojland scored.

“But it does not matter who scored, we had to win, and that’s about the team.”

FT: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

22:33 , Sonia Twigg

Ten Hag added: “People don’t see it (the performance) they only see the result, but we played a solid game and then they see the result and they are complaining, and I know football is about the result but you cannot judge by the result - no no.

“But as a manager you also have to see the performance and we dictated the game against West Ham.”

FT: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

22:32 , Sonia Twigg

Ten Hag on Garnacho’s double and Hojland’s winner: “I’m so happy that the strikers scored. That is what we needed and I know what we are capable of, they are good finishers, and Rashford, and Garnacho, and Hojland - they are all good finishers and we have more.

“We have to show it every game, if you are really believing and have the confidence to score goals then you will score goals”

FT: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

22:28 , Sonia Twigg

Erik ten Hag said to Amazon Prime: “It did but yeah you are losing by two set plays, so two times maybe we are not so focused but I think already in the first half we played quite well and we kept trying.

“I said in the half time keep believing and keep doing what we do even more, we have to put even more on, get it to 2-1 and then we will see what happens.

“I said before the game we were competitive with Arsenal, we were competitive with Liverpool and so if we play our best we can beat anyone, so believe in that and even if we are 2-0 down it doesn’t matter, keep going, show the character and today we showed, we have the personalities to do it and today I think it was a very good team performance.”

FT: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

22:25 , Sonia Twigg

Hojland: “I’ve scored a couple of in the Champions League but of course it’s been a while in the Premier League now so I’m happy to get the first one and hopefully I can just build on that and keep going.

“It went off the post and then in so yeah I’m happy. But I’m happy for the three of us and for the attackers as well because today we showed a lot of character and we showed a lot of confidence as well.”

Garnacho added: “I said in the changing room that we needed just one goal to be back in the game and we scored the first one, they said it was offside, but we never give up and then we scored the first goal and then keep pressing and I am very happy, happy for Rasmus also to get his first goal.

“Too many people talk about the circus in Manchester United and that we never score goals.”

Hojland added: “This is one of the best days of my life.”

FT: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

22:18 , Sonia Twigg

Alejandro Garnacho said to Amazon Prime after the game: “It’s a great feeling. We are Manchester United, we are 2-0 down and we never give up so it’s a great comeback from the team.”

Rasmus Hojland added: “It’s been a while, but yeah. I’m happy. I’m the happiest man alive right now, you can see on the celebrations as well.

“I said we believe until the end and we showed a lot of character again today.”

FT: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

22:07 , Sonia Twigg

First up, here’s what Ally McCoist said on Amazon Prime commentary: “The transformation from United in the second half from the first was been incredible. It is what Erik ten Hag and the home crowd would have wanted, and the side have delivered it.

“We said at half time it would be interesting to see what reaction United would provide in the second half, and boy did they give a big one.”

FT: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

22:02 , Sonia Twigg

Stay tuned for all the reaction from Old Trafford

FT: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

22:01 , Sonia Twigg

Full time: The final whistle eventually blows and Manchester United have come back from two goals behind to claim what could prove to be a turning-point victory in the course of the season.

Garnacho was the main instigator in dragging his side back into the game with two crucial goals, but it was all capped off by Hojland’s first club goal to beat Villa.

Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

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90+10’ The allotted time is now up...

Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

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90+8’ Is there another twist to come in this match? Time is definitely running out for Villa.

Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

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90+6’ Villa’s latest attempt to get forward was blocked and there are cheers every time United win the ball back.

Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

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90+5’ Two more Manchester United subs, including Garnacho coming off, but there could still be some more time added on.

Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

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90+3’ Konsa loops a ball into the United box, but Onana is able to come off his line and gather the ball, wasting a few more crucial seconds.

Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

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90+2’ United have a chance to put the game ahead, but Garnacho was snuffed in his attempt for a hat-trick, and it looks like he sustained an injury in the process.

Martinez is helping him with what looks like cramp...

Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

21:51 , Sonia Twigg

90+1’ There will be nine minutes of added time - that has handed Villa a lifeline!

Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

21:50 , Sonia Twigg

90’ A lot of United fans are on their feet cheering for this team who did not give up but fought their way back into the game, and continued to show that commitment despite going into the lead.

Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

21:49 , Sonia Twigg

88’ Hojland is leaving the field to a standing ovation after scoring his first goal for the club after over 1,000 minutes of action.

Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

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88’ The tackles are flying in here, Konsa has just been shown a yellow card for a late lunge to try and prevent another United attack.

Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

21:46 , Sonia Twigg

86’ United are trying to calm the game down now, but Villa are on the hunt for an equaliser and will not want to let his one go.

Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

21:45 , Sonia Twigg

84’ This has been Manchester United’s half, they have dragged themselves back from two goals behind into a winning position.

It has been a good performance, especially when considering the errors that allowed the hosts to score.

Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

21:43 , Sonia Twigg

82’ The ball just fell luckily for Hojland, the cross rebounded off McGinn’s knee and favourably for the United forward.

He struck that well in off the post, but there was a bit of luck in the build up. The celebration was one of relief and happiness.

GOAL! Hojland scores to put hosts ahead - Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

21:42 , Sonia Twigg

81’ GOAL! Hojland has broken his own deadlock!

Manchester United 2-2 Aston Villa

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80’ United changes: Rashford, Mainoo have come off for Antony and McTominay

Manchester United 2-2 Aston Villa

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78’ Rashford is back on the field after receiving some treatment from the physios.

Manchester United 2-2 Aston Villa

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77’ Two changes for Aston Villa after that equaliser, Ramsey and Bailey off for Zaniolo and Diaby.

Manchester United 2-2 Aston Villa

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76’ Any result is still possible, but United are starting to win all the loose balls and the momentum has definitely shifted in favour of the home side.

Manchester United 2-2 Aston Villa

21:33 , Sonia Twigg

72’ Evans has saved United at the other end of the pitch there, making a key block on the line to deny McGinn his second of the evening.

Fernandes has then just been shown a yellow card and lost his cool! Everything is happening at Old Trafford. Fernandes was booked for his reaction, but continued for a while afterwards. Worth remembering Dalot was sent off for less against Liverpool.

Manchester United 2-2 Aston Villa

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71’ That was a great touch and finish from Garnacho, although his shot took a deflection off Diego Carlos that might have taken it past Martinez.

GOAL! Garnacho hits equaliser - Manchester United 2-2 Aston Villa

21:31 , Sonia Twigg

70’ GOAL! Garnacho fires in the equaliser

Manchester United 1-2 Aston Villa

21:29 , Sonia Twigg

69’ Villa are able to easily deal with an Eriksen corner, but United are winning the ball back and looking to attack.

Manchester United 1-2 Aston Villa

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67’ Having looked completely out of it when Villa went 2-0 ahead, United have fought their way back into the game, and even got the fans behind them.

The home crowd had booed after Villa’s second, but have found their voice in support of the team in the second half.

Manchester United 1-2 Aston Villa

21:26 , Sonia Twigg

65’ This is turning into a very good game, and Manchester United have a penalty shout!

The offside flag has gone up so that ends the debate after Hojland was brought down in the box. Again United’s forwards are offside, but had it not been it might well have been a spot-kick.

Manchester United 1-2 Aston Villa

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63’ Garnacho shrugs off the defender, could have picked out Hojland, who just passed over 1,000 minutes without a goal, but his low strike went went of the goal.

Manchester United 1-2 Aston Villa

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61’ Both sides are really going for this, Diego Carlos had a free-header, again the United defence was not strong enough, but fortunately for the home side he could not direct it on target.

Manchester United 1-2 Aston Villa

21:20 , Sonia Twigg

59’ That was an excellent goal, the perfect ball from Rashford just opened up the space, and Martinez almost saved it.

That was the first United goal in seven hours and 20 minutes, and was not offside.

GOAL! Garnacho scores - Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

21:19 , Sonia Twigg

58’ GOAL! Garnacho scores!

Has he held his run this time?

Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

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57’ This game is livening up, but United are still two goals behind, and they face a tough ask to try and break their scoring deadlock that stretches back over seven hours.

Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

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55’ Martinez has flown off his line here and taken out Rashford! He looks to have taken the ball too, but will this be looked at?

The check is complete and there is no card.

Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

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53’ After those few minutes of chaos the game has calmed down somewhat, although the fans are still venting their frustrations.

GOAL disallowed! Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

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50’ GOAL DISALLOWED! VAR has ruled that Garnacho was ahead of Rashford, with both ahead of the backline when the English international played the pass and the goal has been ruled out.

United were caught offside a lot towards the end of the second half but this time it has cost them a way back into the game.

There was no need for Garnacho to be offside there.

VAR Manchester United 1-2 Aston Villa

21:09 , Sonia Twigg

48’ VAR Garnacho rounded the goalkeeper before firing into the top corner, but there will be a check to see if he was offside.

GOAL! Garnacho pulls one back - Manchester United 1-2 Aston Villa

21:08 , Sonia Twigg

48’ GOAL! Garnacho pulls one back for Manchester United

Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

21:07 , Sonia Twigg

47’ United had to be alert there! I think it was Varane who hooked the ball away from the danger areas and just ahead of the head of Watkins, the Villa forward was off the floor and diving towards the ball.

That was good defending from the Red Devils.

Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

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47’ And the first action of the half is a foul from Dalot on Bailey.

Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

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46’ Aston Villa get the second half underway

HT: Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

21:05 , Sonia Twigg

The players are coming back out onto the field and the second half is about to get underway.

HT: Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

21:04 , Sonia Twigg

Manchester United face an uphill battle in the second half. As things currently stand Aston Villa will go level on points with table-topping Liverpool.

Aston Villa so far this season have not yet dropped points when they have scored first.

HT: Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

20:57 , Sonia Twigg

Manchester United’s goalless run continued into the first half on Boxing Day:

HT: Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

20:50 , Sonia Twigg

Half time: Yet again it has been a case of errors from Manchester United. Firstly a probing free-kick that was dealt with by no one including the goalkeeper, as everyone watched the ball sail into the back of the net.

And for the second, the Villa goalscorer was unmarked in the centre of the area. When the second goal went in the boos rang out.

It did seem to spark the hosts into action and they finished the half on the front foot, but were regularly caught offside, scuppering any chance of an equaliser.

Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

20:47 , Sonia Twigg

45+2’ The flag did go up there, but Garnacho did not know that at the time he took the shot on only to again fire the ball wide. United have struggled to hit the target in this half.

Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

20:45 , Sonia Twigg

45’ There will be four additional minutes of the first half at Old Trafford.

Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

20:44 , Sonia Twigg

44’ Rashford was picked out by a well-hit pass from Fernandes, but he was lacking support and had to take it on, shifted to his left, but did not get hold of it and skewed the ball wide.

Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

20:42 , Sonia Twigg

42’ Garnacho tries to play in Rashford, but the ball is slightly late and goes behind for a goal kick, he might have been offside there though for the second time in the last few minutes.

Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

20:41 , Sonia Twigg

41’ United are looking like the team on the front foot, but there was a moment of caution when Villa almost won the ball back with a high press, inside the home side’s half, but they were able to hold onto the ball.

Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

20:39 , Sonia Twigg

39’ It might be Rashford’s first start for six matches, but he is showing a lot of intent, including a good touch to control the ball and start another attack.

Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

20:35 , Sonia Twigg

35’ The hosts are trying to find a way back into the game, but two quick goals are going to be a tough ask to come back from especially against a high flying Villa.

Rashford has another chance! Again he strikes it cleanly, but for the second time, the goalkeeper is equal to it.

Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

20:33 , Sonia Twigg

32’ Another chance for United! Garnacho tried to pick out Hojland in the middle of the box, but the pass was just behind him.

Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

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31’ Rashford has a chance! United might just have sprung into life, he takes a touch and a shot but Martinez is able to dive down and make the save.

Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

20:29 , Sonia Twigg

29’ The mood has noticeably changed around Old Trafford in the last couple of minutes, the boos rang out after the second goal and all you can hear are the Aston Villa fans.

GOAL! Dendoncker scores his side’s second - Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa

20:28 , Sonia Twigg

26’ GOAL! Aston Villa have another set-piece, this time from the corner, and they have another!

No one at all was marking Dendoncker, he just flicked the ball into the back of the net from a completely unmarked position!

Lenglet headed the ball back into the mix and right in front of goal Dendoncker does a clever flick into the back of the net.

Manchester United 0-1 Aston Villa

20:23 , Sonia Twigg

22’ That was a clever move, there was no touch by anyone on the way throguh and Onana has just sprawled on the floor.

It swung in from the right and beat everyone! Leon Bailey had taken up an uncharacteristic position directly behind Onana before the kick was taken, but moved as soon as it was.

There was a VAR check for a touch by an offside player, but the goal stands!

GOAL! McGinn scores direct from a free-kick - Manchester United 0-1 Aston Villa

20:22 , Sonia Twigg

22’ GOAL! McGinn scores!

Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa

20:21 , Sonia Twigg

20’ Bruno Fernandes could have been more severely penalised for the high boot on Dendoncker there, but it’s just a free kick.

Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa

20:19 , Sonia Twigg

19’ Watkins this time is there to pounce on a long ball, but again Manchester United are alert and Varane is able to clear, that is after they gave the ball away to the visitors.

Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa

20:17 , Sonia Twigg

17’ Wan-Bissaka is having to be active on the right side, that looks to be the side Villa’s breaks are targeting, and they have another corner...but it’s cleared by Eriksen.

Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa

20:15 , Sonia Twigg

15’ That was good defending from Wan-Bissaka to win the ball back and United can counter, but the passes are not pin point and the goalkeeper is able to come and gather.

Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa

20:13 , Sonia Twigg

13’ The game is becoming a bit end-to-end as both sides want to find the early breakthrough, but none of the moves are ending up in clear-cut chances.

Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa

20:11 , Sonia Twigg

11’ Aston Villa have stood their ground at the back, dispossessing Dalot and Garnacho whenever they look like getting into a dangerous area.

But Eriksen has had a shot! It was a comfortable save for the goalkeeper, but the Denmark international has hit that quite sweetly.

Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa

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9’ The corner was taken short and cleared easily by United.

Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa

20:08 , Sonia Twigg

8’ Both teams have just been settling down into the match, the crosses have come into the Manchester United box, and Villa have a corner for their efforts.

Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa

20:06 , Sonia Twigg

6’ Aston Villa are looking to get stuck in here, and they have come into this match in the better form of the two sides.

But there have been no chances for either side yet.

Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa

20:04 , Sonia Twigg

3’ Both sides are just settling down into the contest.

The anti-Scouse chant to the tune of a Christmas song has just been heard ringing around Old Trafford. That’s not really in the spirit of Christmas.

Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa

20:02 , Sonia Twigg

1’ Manchester United have started with a lot of energy here on Boxing Day. A cross into the box is flicked on by Hojland, although not in the direction of the goal.

Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa

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1’ The game is underway at Old Trafford

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

19:57 , Sonia Twigg

And both teams are now out on the field, Aston Villa in grey-blue tracksuit tops, with Manchester United in their trademark red.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

19:56 , Sonia Twigg

Aston Villa were out in the tunnel three minutes ahead of Manchester United although we will have to see what impact that has on the match.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

19:53 , Sonia Twigg

The match will start in less than 10 minutes and the players should be emerging from the tunnel soon.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

19:45 , Sonia Twigg

We are now just 15 minutes away from kick off and stay tuned for all the latest from the managers and all the action at Old Trafford.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

19:40 , Sonia Twigg

It might feel like a long time ago since Old Trafford was the fortress visiting teams would fear to visit.

This season, it has been significantly better than their away form, but of their nine matches, United have won five and lost four, drawing none, so another result could be on the cards from the late fixture.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

19:30 , Sonia Twigg

Under Erik ten Hag, United have lost eight matches this season, and have not found the net too often either.

Their goal difference is -5, worse than any team above them and also worse than Brighton, Chelsea and Brentford below them.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

19:20 , Sonia Twigg

Ahead of the post-Christmas period, Manchester United were in eighth place, only one point behind Newcastle, although the Magpies have had their own problems of late and suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest in the Boxing Day early kick-off.

However, they were more importantly already eight points behind Tottenham who occupy the final Champions League spot.

While their own European Campaign this year came to a meek end when they finished bottom of the group, behind the likes of Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen, they will want to avoid being unable to make amends next season.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

19:10 , Sonia Twigg

Onto the match itself, and here is how to watch:

Manchester United host Aston Villa in the Premier League tonight as Erik ten Hag’s side try to make up ground in the race to finish in the top four.

Villa have been flying under Spanish manager Unai Emery this season, so much so that they are in the conversation for the Premier League title approaching the halfway stage, although a draw against Sheffield United before Christmas ended a club-record 15-game winning run at home to slow their momentum.

Is Man Utd v Aston Villa on TV tonight? Channel, start time and how to watch online

Man United vs Aston Villa - LIVE

19:02 , Karl Matchett

Lineups confirmed!

Man United XI: Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Dalot, Mainoo, Eriksen, Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Konsa, D Carlos, Lenglet, Digne, McGinn, Dendoncker, Luiz, J Ramsey, Bailey, Watkins

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

18:59 , Karl Matchett

When Sir Jim Ratcliffe was born, Manchester United were champions of England. If that was an unusual status for them then – Sir Matt Busby’s triumph in 1952 was United’s first in 41 years – the chances are that Ratcliffe hopes their 21st title will come with him in the boardroom. It has taken him seven decades to travel the seven miles from his Failsworth birthplace to Old Trafford and a status as co-owner of United. That, and the accumulation of remarkable wealth; some £1.3bn has been required for the petrochemicals tycoon to purchase a 25 per cent stake in the club.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will have no honeymoon as he faces urgent problems at Man United

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

18:50 , Sonia Twigg

Gary Neville criticised the “truly awful” timing of Manchester United’s confirmation that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has agreed to buy a 25 per cent stake in the club after the deal was announced at 4pm on Christmas Eve.

After months of talks, United have finally confirmed that they had entered an agreement with the Ratcliffe and the Ineos Group, who will assume delegated responsibility for the club’s football operations.

Gary Neville criticises ‘truly awful’ timing of Manchester United takeover

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

18:40 , Sonia Twigg

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has completed his purchase of a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United and will be given footballing control of the club.

The Ineos billionaire, a lifelong United fan, has paid £1.3bn for Class A and B shares from the Glazer family, who retain the biggest part of the club, and will provide an extra $300m (£236) for investment in Old Trafford. Two-thirds of that will be available immediately, with the rest to follow by the end of 2024.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe finally completes Manchester United minority takeover

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

18:30 , Sonia Twigg

The Independent’s chief football writer Miguel Delaney took a closer look at what happened:

For all the noise around the Manchester United sale process over the past few months, there were a few key words that actually stood out as crucial to those involved. That was when the Ineos delegation met the club hierarchy and Sir Jim Ratcliffe was “blunt” about the many football failings. The billionaire, who took the same “helicopter view” of the sport as he does all his businesses, pointed to specific areas where United were drastically underperforming against similar clubs.

Everything you still don’t know about the Manchester United takeover

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

18:20 , Sonia Twigg

And now here’s a look at the takeover and the story of what happened in the last few days:

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has finally completed his 25 per cent investment in Manchester United to become a minority shareholder in the football giants.

The Ineos billionaire has paid £1.3bn for Class B shares from the Glazer family, who retain the biggest part of the club, and will provide an extra $300m for investment in Old Trafford. Two-thirds of that will be available immediately, with the rest to follow by the end of 2024. Ratcliffe will control football operations at United.

Who is Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire Ineos owner buying a stake in Man United?

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

18:10 , Sonia Twigg

Luke Shaw surveyed the wreckage of Manchester United’s latest defeat and admitted: “It’s just not good enough.”

The Red Devils went down 2-0 at West Ham to slip to their 13th loss from 26 matches this season.

Luke Shaw says latest Manchester United loss ‘just not good enough’

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

18:00 , Sonia Twigg

Ahead of the Boxing Day clash the Red Devils have gone four matches in a row without scoring for the first time since 1992, but Ten Hag remained upbeat:

Erik Ten Hag insists Manchester United have goals in them despite drawing another blank in a dispiriting 2-0 defeat at West Ham.

But beleaguered boss Ten Hag said: “We have players who can do it. They’ve proved in the past they can do it. But we also have to acknowledge the fact that we didn’t do it as a team. We have to take responsibility. Football is about winning games and scoring goals.

Erik ten Hag insists Man United still a threat despite fourth consecutive blank

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

17:45 , Sonia Twigg

To kick things off, here is a look at the last game, when Manchester United were beaten by West Ham, and Kieran Jackson’s match report:

By the full-time whistle, there was barely a soul left in the lower portion of the away end; a feeling all too familiar for fans of the once-mighty Manchester United, following an astonishing 13th defeat of the season. That, would you believe, is more than the entirety of last season already. But Erik ten Hag’s pain – and, blimey, has he felt some pain in the last four months – was David Moyes’s gain two days before Christmas Day as West Ham moved into the top six after a two-goal victory against a Man Utd side seemingly forever descending into a cesspit of doom this season.

Ten Hag’s side can simply have no complaints. None at all. The visitors were the fresher side on paper after a week off but were uninspiring and ineffective throughout. A point to prove? Some desire and determination? Apparently not.

Forget a lack of skill – Man United have a much bigger problem after West Ham defeat

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

14:43 , Sonia Twigg

Good evening, and welcome to The Independent’s live blog from the final match of Boxing Day as the festive fixtures are well and truly underway.

Manchester United take on high-flying Aston Villa in a bid to prevent their recent slump in form from worsening, while Villa started the day level on points with Liverpool and just one behind top-placed Arsenal

Boxing Day fixtures 2023: Every game and how to watch all five Premier League clashes on TV and online

14:23 , Jack Rathborn

Boxing Day is always an extra Christmas treat for football fans and Tuesday is no different, with five Premier League games staggered through the day, all being broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video – for the final time, after Amazon’s pivot to boxing starting next season.

There is also a stacked schedule in the Championship, including a top-of-the-table showdown between second-placed Ipswich and league leaders Leicester, as well as games throughout the Football League and one Scottish Premiership clash as Dundee travel to leaders Celtic.

Here are all the Boxing Day fixtures and how to watch them:

Boxing Day fixtures: How to watch all five Premier League clashes on TV and online

Gary Neville calls Man Utd ‘a disgrace to the end’ over ‘truly awful’ timing of takeover

23:12 , Karl Matchett

Gary Neville criticised the “truly awful” timing of Manchester United’s confirmation that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has agreed to buy a 25 per cent stake in the club after the deal was announced at 4pm on Christmas Eve.

After months of talks, United have finally confirmed that they had entered an agreement with the Ratcliffe and the Ineos Group, who will assume delegated responsibility for the club’s football operations.

Ratcliffe will acquire 25 per cent of the Class B shares held by the Glazer family and up to 25 per cent of the Class A shares while investing $300m (£236.7m) into its infrastructure.

The sale of the stake to Ratcliffe ends a 13-month takeover process, and Neville, an outspoken critic of the Glazer family, said his former club had been a “disgrace to the end” in 2023 following a dismal run of form on the pitch.

Gary Neville criticises ‘truly awful’ timing of Manchester United takeover

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