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
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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
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
West Ham 2-0 Manchester United: Goals from Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus send the Hammers above their opponents, while the issues mount up for Man Utd’s under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
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
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
There is a stacked fixture list to look forward to with Premier League matches, Football League games and a Scottish Premiership clash all taking place on Tuesday
Gary Neville calls Man Utd ‘a disgrace to the end’ over ‘truly awful’ timing of takeover
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
After months of talks, United announced the major news at 4pm on Christmas Eve
Sir Jim Ratcliffe calls for ‘patience’ in message to Man Utd fans
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reached out to fans after agreeing to buy a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United, telling them he takes his responsibility to put the club back on top of world football “very seriously” but also calling for patience.
United announced on Christmas Eve that Ratcliffe, the chairman of INEOS, had finalised a £1.25billion deal for a share of the Premier League outfit and will invest more than £236m to refurbish the debt-laden club’s infrastructure.
INEOS will also take over the management of United’s football operations.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe sends message to Man Utd fans
A deal for the INEOS founder to take a 25 per cent stake in the club was agreed on Christmas Eve
Rasmus Hojlund ‘happiest man alive right now’ after first Premier League goal for Man United
Rasmus Hojlund claimed to be the “happiest man alive” after breaking his Premier League duck to earn Manchester United a stunning 3-2 comeback win over Aston Villa.
Under-fire striker Hojlund, who cost an initial £64m from Atalanta in the summer, grabbed the 82nd-minute winner on his 15th top-flight appearance.
Villa were on course to move level on points with Liverpool at the top of the table following first-half finishes from John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker before Alejandro Garnacho’s double brought the hosts level.
Hojlund’s decisive strike, which followed five goals in the Champions League, further eased the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag as United celebrated victory in their first match since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in the club was confirmed.
I’m the happiest man alive right now – Rasmus Hojlund buoyed by Man Utd winner
The 20-year-old cost an initial £64million from Italian club Atalanta.
Rasmus Hojlund ‘happiest man alive right now’ after first Premier League goal for Man United
Rasmus Hojlund claimed to be the “happiest man alive” after breaking his Premier League duck to earn Manchester United a stunning 3-2 comeback win over Aston Villa.
Under-fire striker Hojlund, who cost an initial £64m from Atalanta in the summer, grabbed the 82nd-minute winner on his 15th top-flight appearance.
Hojlund ‘happiest man alive right now’ after first Premier League goal
The 20-year-old cost an initial £64million from Italian club Atalanta.
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