Manchester United v Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League latest score and goal updates as Michael Carrick’s slide slip into Premier League bottom three and protests planned

There was joy and unity following the raucous comeback against Roma in midweek. Now, with more protest and discontent at the owners at Old Trafford, there is a strange atmosphere indeed before another must-win clash for Michael Carrick.

“We want Glazers out” is the cry.

There will be a pause for Remembrance Sunday before kick-off.

Manchester United supporters have staged another protest against the ownership ahead of this afternoon’s clash against Aston Villa. The anti-Glazer green and gold balloons are out in force, and there is talk of a walkout in the 21st minute.

The players are coming out next, with kick-off to follow.

For a few minutes earlier today, Manchester United hit rock bottom: bottom of the Premier League. Then Crystal Palace conceded to Liverpool and they went up to 19th in the live table. They, and Michael Carrick, could do with a win. Carrick resists the temptation to pick Shea Lacey and instead keeps Amad in the team. After Ayden Heaven’s poor performance against Roma, it is Noussair Mazraoui who stands in for the suspended Lisandro Martinez. A former United defender, Victor Lindelof, returns to Old Trafford as Aston Villa’s right-back, with Matty Cash banned.

Even as he risks being consigned to Manchester United history, Michael Carrick was talking about Manchester United’s history. They are celebrating one of their managers and, whether or not Aston Villa are defeated on Sunday, it is not him. Friday marked the 40th anniversary of Sir Alex Ferguson’s appointment. There is a dinner this weekend to honour the great Scot.

There is also the chance Sunday marks Carrick’s last game at the helm. Ferguson has been in charge for two-thirds of the last four decades and end his tenure of his own volition, retiring after 26-and-a-half years. Carrick could become the seventh man sacked since then, without even including the interim appointment Ralf Rangnick. He is already the fifth of Ferguson’s former players to have served as caretaker manager.

Ferguson has been the inspiration for them all. He remains the benchmark, the gold standard, but also the anomaly.

A banner at Old Trafford, commemorating Ferguson, reads: “The impossible dream”. For much of the last 13 years, following him has seemed similarly impossible.

Aston Villa have only won at Manchester United twice in their last 41 attempts, losing their last tix trips to Old Trafford. Their last victory came in September 2021.

Michael Carrick has challenged Matheus Cunha to replicate his catalytic display against Roma, when he won a penalty and scored two goals, to double his tally for the season.

“He has to repeat that performance,” Carrick said. “He was fantastic and that’s close to his best, and that’s the level where we want to see.”

Cunha was sent off after his dramatic double against Roma, but is free to play in the Premier League.

Michael Carrick said Bruno Fernandes’ attitude is “as good as ever” and he has no doubts about his commitment again after their falling-out.

The United manager dropped his captain after Fernandes criticised his tactics during the 4-1 defeat to Como and chose not to bring him on in the 3-0 loss to Bournemouth.

But Carrick and Fernandes held talks last week and the Portuguese returned to the team at Chelsea on Saturday before playing his part in their comeback win over Roma, scoring their first goal with a twice-taken penalty and providing the assist for Matheus Cunha’s equaliser.

“I think by his actions, the way he’s played and how he dealt with even retaking the penalty and frame of mind he was in for that, I think that tells everything,” said Carrick. “Yeah, Bruno’s as good as ever.”

The 45-year-old has not revealed if Fernandes apologised to him, adding: “What’s actually said in that discussion, you’ll be pleased to know I’ll keep that to myself.

“But I think it’s pretty clear we’ve moved in a good direction, and Bruno’s commitment is undoubted for me of what he brings to this team and this club, and I think he showed that again this week.”

Taylor Harwood-Bellis makes his first Premier League start for Aston Villa, who are without both the suspended Matty Cash and the injured Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Harwood-Bellis joined Villa in a £25m move from Southampton and is the son-in-law of former United captain Roy Keane. Leon Goretzka and Alysson also come in as Unai Emery makes three changes from the team that lost 3-0 at Barcelona in midweek, with Cash, Joao Gomes and Emi Buendia dropping out.

Aston Villa XI: Suzuki; Harwood-Bellis, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Goretzka; McGinn, Manzambi, Alysson; Jackson

Two changes for Manchester United, with Youri Tielemans and Noussair Mazraoui returning in place for the injured Carlos Baleba and Ayden Heaven, who struggled in midweek.

Shea Lacey is on the bench after his impressive cameo against Roma, while Patrick Dorgu is back in the squad following injury.

Man Utd XI: Lammens, Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Mazraoui, Tielemans, Mainoo, Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo.

Man Utd XI: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Mazraoui; Tielemans, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbuemo

Aston Villa XI: Suzuki; Harwood-Bellis, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Goretzka; McGinn, Manzambi, Alysson; Jackson