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Rooney starts for Man United, while Martial drops to the bench.
Meanwhile, Ireland international Ciaran Clark features in the Villa starting XI
It looks like Aston Villa are safe from relegation for now at least.
A point for Norwich against Sunderland today would have sealed the bottom club’s fate, but the Canaries are currently losing 2-0 against the Black Cats.
We’re underway…
The home side are applying all the early pressure with Aston Villa looking inevitably vulnerable defensively. Marcos Rojo has the first sight of goal but his header from Memphis’ set-piece sails over the bar.
Depay tries to get in a cross, but Hutton gets in a good tackle to stop the attack.
All United so far.
Fellaini beats Lescott in air from a corner, but United can’t capitalise on the Belgian international’s knockdown and Villa clear.
Moments later, Hutton has to make a last-ditch interception to stop a lofted through ball reaching Depay.
Good interplay between Mata and Rooney earns United a corner.
It feels like only a matter of time before the hosts score.
A rare period that Villa spend in United’s half ends abruptly, as Westwood’s free kick into the box is easily cleared.
The Red Devils capitalise on their opponents getting numbers forward, as Rashford leads a counter-attack.
Rashford beats his man down the right, and Lescott nervously clears the cross away for a corner.
Moments later, Mata gets the ball just inside the box, but slices his shot well wide.
Clever idea from Rooney, but his lofted through pass just eludes the onrushing Mata.
The two aforementioned players have looked the most likely individuals to break the deadlock in the game so far.
MAN UNITED 1-0 ASTON VILLA (RASHFORD 32)
That was coming!
Rooney plays a superb crossfield pass to Valencia, who crosses for Rashford to slot home.
Half-chance for Villa, as Ayew just fails to connect with Cissokho’s cross.
Collecting that cross is pretty much the first thing David de Gea has had to do all game.
Man United are totally in control at the moment.
Even as this early stage, you get the sense that it’s a case of damage limitation as far as Villa are concerned.
Another half chance for Villa, after they make a decent break.
Ayew got a glimpse at goal inside the box, but Smalling makes a good block to keep the score at 1-0.
HALF-TIME: MAN UNITED 1-0 ASTON VILLA
So half-time at Old Trafford, and Man United will have had few more comfortable 45-minute periods this season.
With their confidence at an all-time low, Villa have offered little in attack, and their main aim seems to be to keep the score down.
United have patiently probed and controlled the play, with Rooney, Mata and Rashford all standing out, and when the goal came, it was well deserved.
Nevertheless, for all the hosts’ dominance, Villa did have one or two half-chances towards the end of half, reminding United that they can’t afford to be overly complacent for the remainder of the game.
The second half has begun…
It’s been a quiet enough start to this second half.
As I type though, Mata plays an intelligent ball through to Rashford, who blasts his shot just wide.
Rashford also could have won a penalty moments earlier, but chose to stay on his feet while sprinting away from Hutton’s mistimed challenge.
Of course they’re playing against the worst team in the league, but it’s still hard not to be impressed by Rashford.
The teenage striker has barely given the Villa defence a moment’s rest today.
Nice link-up play between Rooney and Depay, but Clark is well positioned to prevent the former bursting through on goal.
Moments later, Depay picks out Rooney, but the England striker’s touch is too heavy, and the chance is wasted.
Villa are now starting to commit more players forward, which means there’ll be more gaps in their backline for United to exploit as the game develops.
Great play from Depay to escape Sinclair, but there’s no one in the box to convert his inviting cross.
The difference in quality between these two teams is really starting to show now.
Villa are starting to look a bit more stable now and are even enjoying a spell of sustained possession.
It would be the ultimate smash and grab if they got anything from this game.
Villa switch off and a short corner is picked up by Juan Mata.
The Spain international’s shot is parried away for another corner by Brad Guzan.
Rooney is replaced by Jesse Lingard, having completed just over an hour of play.
The England striker has looked impressive playing in midfield, showing an impressive range of passing and setting up the opening goal.
In many ways, this game has highlighted both teams’ problems.
Man United have been solid, but their build-up play has been too slow, and they haven’t scored enough goals.
Villa, meanwhile, have been extremely pedestrian, and have shown almost no ambition in attack.
Martial comes on for Marcus Rashford, who has probably been the best player on the pitch today.
15 minutes until Villa’s inevitable relegation is confirmed, it seems.
For the second time, Villa have been caught out by a short corner.
United pick Mata out, but again, his cross-shot eludes everyone and goes out of play.
Rudy Gestede replaces Kieran Richardson as Villa look to adopt a more attacking approach.
As I type, Blind has to make a great block to stop Gestede from slotting the ball home frin a cross.
From the ensuing corner, Gestede hits the post with an well-executed volley.
The striker has certainly made an immediate impact.
So close!
Martial plays a lovely ball through to Depay, but Brad Guzan gets down well to turn the Dutchman’s finish away from goal.
A final change for Man United, as Mata is replaced by Fosu-Mensah.
The youngster was so impressive against Tottenham last week, so it’s good to see him getting another chance to impress.
Meanwhile, there will be three minutes of additional time.
FULL-TIME: MAN UNITED 1-0 ASTON VILLA – VILLA ARE RELEGATED!
So that’s that — Villa are officially confirmed to play in the Championship next season.
It was a well deserved victory for United. Aside from two quick-fire Gestede chances near the end of the game, Villa didn’t really threaten at all, with this rather toothless performance summing up their season.
United, meanwhile, have given their top-four hopes a boost following today’s result. In truth, the Red Devils didn’t ever really get out of second gear, nor did they need to. Rashord, Mata and the returning Wayne Rooney all looked very sharp at times, though there will undoubtedly be tougher tests to come for the Red Devils between now and the end of the season.
Right, that’s it from me.
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