Man United v Aston Villa LIVE: Rasmus Hojlund scores first Premier League goal to complete comeback win
Erik ten Hag is under immense pressure after a series of poor results and Sir Jim Ratcliffe agreeing to purchase 25 percent of the club
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.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.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
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
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
Everything you need to know ahead of Villa’s Boxing Day visit to Old Trafford in the Premier League
Man United vs Aston Villa - LIVE
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
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
Ratcliffe has completed his lifelong dream by purchasing a stake in Manchester United – but reality is set to bite immediately
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
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
After months of talks, United announced the major news at 4pm on Christmas Eve
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
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
The Ineos owner has bought a 25 per cent stake from the Glazer family to invest in the team he supported as a boy and take control of footballing operations
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
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
How Jim Ratcliffe – a ‘blunt’ British billionaire – secured a minority stake at United, while Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim proved to be a ‘non-runner’
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
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?
Ratcliffe has completed a minority takeover of the club he supported growing up in Manchester
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
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’
United have now gone four matches in a row without scoring for the first time since 1992 after another limp display.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
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
West Ham got the better of Ten Hag’s men in a dominant win
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments