United force another corner from the initial set-piece, with Villa full-back Matt Lowton again doing his job well. Can they bag a third and kill off the visitors?

United full-back Antonio Valencia uses his electric pace to nip behind the Villa defence, but his low cross is cut out by Matt Lowton's sliding challenge.

Aston Villa have possession of the ball as they chase what seemed to be an unlikely draw. Gabby Agbonlahor tries to nip in between Phil Jones and David De Gea when the ball is pumped forward, with the latter taking control of the situation to snuff out the danger.

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

"There are lot of nerves around Old Trafford. You feel there are still one or two twists and turns left in this one."

Sam Stevens: The underperforming Di Maria with yet another assist. Another example of the over criticism of Man Utd?

Ajay Patel: Past 2 games: Two bad goals let in by de Gea who's overperforming, two assists from Angel who's underperforming.

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This time Joe Cole swings the ball in from the left hand corner flag, but he can't find a Villa head and the home side clear.

Villa's goal came from their first corner of the afternoon. And now they have another one...

Kevin Kilbane
Former Everton midfielder on Final Score

"It is poor defending from Manchester United. Benteke is freed up from the corner but with the quality De Gea has he should be saving that. It went straight under his body."

Hang on! It is not all over quite yet. Villa halve the deficit when Christian Benteke drills in a low effort from about eight yards following a Villa right-wing corner from Joe Cole. United keeper David De Gea - a man who is firmly in credit this season - allows that to go under him too easily.

Image source, Reuters

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

"You won't see a better goal this season, that is absolutely phenomenal. It was an awkward ball to bring down, but as it bounces Wayne Rooney swivels and fires the ball into the top corner. The ball is still very high but he gets right on top of the ball. What a fantastic goal."

Wow! If there is a better goal in the Premier League this afternoon then I'd be very surprised. Wayne Rooney takes a touch to control Angel Di Maria's cross then swivels to crash a crisp half-volley past Brad Guzan. Game, set and match to Manchester United.

Image source, AFP

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

"Aston Villa haven't offered very much at all going forward. They don't want to take a risk and are just doing a very professional job. They've got Joe Cole on now though and maybe he could see a pass."

Here is a blast from the past - Joe Cole. The ex-England midfielder replaces Villa team-mate Andreas Weimann - can he spark a Villa revival?

Substitute Leandro Bacuna stands over the ball, whipping a curling set piece into the United danger zone. Team-mate Jores Okore climbs above the home defence but cannot stick enough power on his header to trouble David De Gea.

Villa need to move quick if they are going to snatch anything from this game. Andreas Weimann does that, turning on the after burners down the right, winning a free-kick on the edge of the box. Dangerous...

Still United press for a much-needed second goal. Left-back Daley Blind smashes just wide of the Villa goal.

Colin Reardon: #MUFC seem to have reverted to sideways & backwards again! Where's the rapid forward passing that demolished Spurs & L'pool?

Victor Mojekwu: Man United need to score at least one more goal to stay on a safer side.

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You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - but please don't forget to include your name and location.

Wonder if Louis van Gaal heard the familiar Geordie tones of BBC Radio 5 live's Chris Waddle from the gantry? Probably not. But the Dutchman agrees with the ex-England man and decides it is time for a change. On trots British record signing Angel Di Maria in place of Ashley Young.

Image source, PA

Slack play from Villa's Carlos Sanchez hands possession to Wayne Rooney about 30 yards out. The England skipper drives forward with purpose, trying to curl into the bottom left corner with the outside of his right boot. But he can't bend the ball enough and it goes out for a goal-kick.

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

"Manchester United should be thinking about a change, maybe bringing somebody like Adnan Januzaj on, somebody to just re-introduce a little bit of a spark into their play. It's gone a little flat. Aston Villa, well they may as well have a go now."