Image source, Getty Images

Right, that's the end of our coverage from Old Trafford. But it is not the end of today's Premier League fun. Head over to this page for live updates from Chelsea v Stoke. Or go here for all the rest of the Premier League reaction from the 15:00 kick-offs.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "We are still not certain about Champions League qualification - it is still a rat race.

"But we have given a blow to Liverpool and Southampton also lost. It is a big gap. now we have to wait to see if the gap is too big for Tottenham too. But we have to play the top three - it is still a rat race."

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "It is always a difficult match to win. We have created four or five chances and didn't give any chances away in the first half.

"We scored the first goal at the right time at the end of the first half. The first half was a good performance but we have to finish more. The second half was more controlling."

Villa boss Tim Sherwood: "Tuesday is a massive game for us against QPR. They had an excellent win today but a win for us on Tuesday means that there are six points between us and them.

"We showed a lot of character out there today, because a lot of guys have been away on international and played twice. They gave me everything."

Both sides have massive matches coming up - for contrasting reasons.

Manchester United travel across town to Manchester City next Sunday, as the neighbours battle it out - along with Arsenal - for second position.

At the other end of the Premier League table, fifth-bottom Villa host QPR on Tuesday. Chris Ramsey's men are two places and three points behind Villa following their thumping 4-1 win at West Brom.

Image source, PA

Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood: "I thought we got stuck in and were always in the game until the third goal which killed us off.

"We expected them to give ball back to us from the drop ball because we were in possession. But the referee thought nothing of it and they scored from that. It has gone against us.

"I'm not saying that is the reason we lost the game but it is disappointing. Today Man Utd were much better than us."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's two-goal hero Ander Herrera: "Aston Villa are fighting relegation and have to fight hard, so that made it difficult for us. They came to Old Trafford to wait and try to give us few opportunities. We kept the ball and tried to win game through possession and be patient. That's what we did."

Villa's late goal from Christian Benteke gave Tim Sherwood's side hope of nicking a point, but in truth the fifth-bottom side did not deserve anything. And if you don't believe me then take a look at the statistics....

Image source, EPA

Manchester United's two-goal hero Ander Herrera, who has scored seven times since his summer move from Athletic Bilbao: "Scoring goals was one of the things that I had to improve on. I'm getting better but have to improve still.

"The battle for the top four is going to be very tough but we are on the right road. We are in very good form but have to play seven more games and have to fight a lot."

Sophie Gayter: Utd haven't had a player who can arrive late in the box and finish like that since Scholes in his prime. Well played Herrera!

Peter Malath: 2 for Herrera, 3 for United. Put the three points in the bag, now I am going to sleep. Goodnight or good morning.

KN: Job done. 3pts. Next up: the noisy neighbours. We are in with a shout of getting a result.

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Unsurprisingly Ander Herrera has a huge smile across as he leaves the Old Trafford pitch. The Spanish midfielder is mobbed by his team-mates and takes the acclaim of the Stretford End as he wanders down the tunnel.

Former England winger Chris Waddle
BBC Radio 5 live at Old Trafford

"Manchester United dominated the game and deserve the win but Aston Villa always carried a threat. I think Louis van Gaal will be happy with the way his side linked up down the right-hand side, with Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Antonio Valencia. They had a huge amount of joy there."

All over at Old Trafford! Manchester United earn their sixth win in seven Premier League matches to strengthen their chances of Champions League qualification. That moves the Red Devils up to third position, one behind second placed Arsenal and one ahead of neighbours Manchester City.

The decibel meter inside Old Trafford goes up a notch - the home fans know their team are heading for another victory.

Former England winger Chris Waddle
BBC Radio 5 live at Old Trafford

"Ander Herrera just passes the ball into the net, a great finish just inside the box. A side-foot finish and it's game over."

Now that HAS to be game over. Ander Herrera strokes his second of the match into the bottom corner after some quick-thinking from Wayne Rooney following a drop ball.

Four minutes of stoppage time for Villa to nab an equaliser. Or for United to net a third.

United waste another corner, then Villa spring forward on the counter. But the linesman's flag stops Christian Benteke in his tracks.