Referee Roger East does a quick head count and toots his whistle. Villa striker Christian Benteke taps the ball forward to get us under way. Game on!

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We have just about enough time for one quick last glance at the teams...

Man Utd: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Blind, Carrick, Herrera, Mata, Fellaini, Young, Rooney. Subs: Valdes, Rafael, McNair, A Pereira, Januzaj, Di Maria, Falcao.

Aston Villa: Guzan, Hutton, Okore, Clark, Lowton, Delph, Sanchez, N'Zogbia, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Benteke. Subs: Given, Vlaar, Bacuna, Cole, Gil, Baker, Grealish.

Viilla boss Tim Sherwood strolls out a few seconds after his United counterpart Louis van Gaal, chasing him up the steps of the dug-out for a slap on the back and a handshake.

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

"Under Tim Sherwood Aston Villa are starting to show more energy and more belief. I watched them play earlier in the season and they were sitting back home and away, which didn't go down well with the fans at Villa Park.

"Manchester United could underestimate Villa but Louis van Gaal's side are full of confidence. They had a great win at Anfield, and seem to have much more balance and tempo in the side."

Rival skippers Wayne Rooney and Fabian Delph, who were both team-mates for England during the recent international break, shake hands and exchange pleasantries in the Old Trafford tunnel. Rooney shares a joke with the United mascot before leading his team out.

The chances of seeing a Marouane Fellaini wig in the Old Trafford stands last season were slimmer than Ant working without Dec. But now the replica curly mops are dotted around the ground - a symbol of the Belgian midfielder's renaissance this season.

In fact, Fellaini - who was much-maligned last season - is in such good form that he cannot be dropped, says manager Louis van Gaal.

"When he is playing like he is now, I cannot change him," says the Dutchman.

Steve Bower
BBC MOTD commentator at Old Trafford

"Two games ago, when Manchester United began a daunting-looking run of matches, this match almost crept under the radar.

"Having dispatched Spurs and produced their best 45 minutes under Louis van Gaal in winning at Liverpool, they next face a derby against Manchester City followed by a trip to Stamford Bridge. However, it's Aston Villa's visit that could be the most dangerous on the list.

"It's the one everyone expects a rejuvenated United to win to maintain their top-four charge. But they'll face a Villa team with a different mentality to that time as well. Tim Sherwood has injected much-needed belief into the squad."

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Tim Sherwood's dad used to run a North London bookmakers apparently, with the Aston Villa boss working in the shop as a kid to earn some pocket money.

So he knows a thing or two about the odds being upset - and he reckons that Villa can do exactly that at Old Trafford.

"I think they are beatable, they have only lost two games at home all season, they have a terrific record at Old Trafford, but every team can beat anyone. It would be an upset, we believe we are capable of upsetting them."

The sun is beating down on Old Trafford (yes, that's right) as the familiar guitar solo of 'Sympathy for the Devil' by the Rolling Stones pumps out of the sound system.

But Villa won't have any Sympathy for the (Red) Devil(s). Manchester United might not be the force they once were, but Villa would happily trade places with today's opponents.

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In contrast, the only time the passports of Aston Villa players and fans have seen daylight recently are ahead of their summer jollies. And they won't need them to go to Leeds or Reading next season - which is where they could be heading if they don't buck up their ideas.

Villa are currently fifth-bottom in the top-flight, three points clear of Burnley who occupy the final spot in the dreaded drop-zone.

But they have enjoyed a renaissance of sorts under new boss Tim Sherwood, winning three of their last four matches to move out of the bottom three.

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Manchester United fans have been used to trotting all across Europe over the years to follow their side. But this season they have been forced to leave their passports in the top drawer after the ignominious reign of David Moyes saw them miss out on European qualification for the first time in 25 years.

However, it might be time to check the expiry date on those travel documents. Louis van Gaal's side are currently fourth, five points clear of Liverpool - who are currently being spanked 4-1 at Arsenal.

And another three points today will see United leapfrog Manchester City into third and within striking distance of Arsenal, who are set to go second.

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I'd suggest that the chances of Louis van Gaal, wearing a two-tone suit and pork pie hat, skanking along to the iconic Coventry band in his youth are pretty slim.

But having grown up in Amsterdam, then worked in major European cities such as Barcelona, Munich and Manchester, he is well aware of the 'rat race'.

The 'rat race', in case you aren't aware, is the analogy given to those careerists who dash about the city in the hope of making gains in their world of employment.

Van Gaal has repeatedly stressed that is exactly what Manchester United are facing as they chase a top-four finish. And United are scurrying towards Europe quicker than a hungry rodent.

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"You'll be working for the rat race, You know you're wasting your time.

"Working for the rat race, You're no friend of mine."

Legendary ska revival band The Specials weren't a fan of the 'Rat Race' in their 1980 classic hit...

As expected, Manchester United make just the single change from the side which beat arch-rivals Liverpool in their last outing. England defender Chris Smalling drops out through illness, with Argentina international Marcos Rojo stepping up from the bench.

On-loan Red Devils midfielder Tom Cleverly misses out as Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood makes three changes. Full-back Matt Lowton, midfielder Carlos Sanchez and winger Andreas Weimann all start, with Cleverly, Scott Sinclair and Leandro Bacuna dropping out.

Man Utd: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Blind, Carrick, Herrera, Mata, Fellaini, Young, Rooney. Subs: Valdes, Rafael, McNair, A Pereira, Januzaj, Di Maria, Falcao.

Aston Villa: Guzan, Hutton, Okore, Clark, Lowton, Delph, Sanchez, N'Zogbia, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Benteke. Subs: Given, Vlaar, Bacuna, Cole, Gil, Baker, Grealish.