Man United vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League updates as Ronaldo starts

5 mins: Fernandes takes it but its into the wall.

4 mins: United come forward through Greenwood, who leads an quick attack down the right. He plays it inside the Fernandes and the move breaks down, before Fernandes is fouled about 25 yards out from goal.

It’s an excellent position for a free kick. Ronaldo and Fernandes are over it.

We’re underway at Old Trafford! Bruno Fernandes gets an early chance in the box but hits a left-foot volley over the top of the bar.

It’s a packed house at Old Trafford this afternoon despite the change of kick-off time.

This fixture was moved to a 12:30pm kick-off due to a Courteeners concert at the Old Trafford cricket ground later tonight.

Depending on results elsewhere, United could end the day at the top of the league with a win at Old Trafford.

Chelsea host Manchester City in the other early match this afternoon while Liverpool travel to Brentford later on.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer speaking to MUTV ahead of today’s match against Aston Villa.

[On his starting line-up] “They’re fresh, they’ve prepared well. A few were on the bench and came on on Wednesday night but we have prepared really well. Early kick offs are hard when you’ve also played Wednesday night, so that was also part of the reason for what we did on Wednesday night.”

[On the return of Cavani] “Edinson is an exceptional striker, finisher. His movement in the box. Tight games are always decided in the boxes so to have him back is good.”

[On Ronaldo’s record vs Villa] “Let’s hope it continues. He’s so focused on playing every game as well as he can. He’s started so well for us, had an impact both on and off the pitch, so let’s hope that continues.”

You have to go back to December 2009 to find Aston Villa’s last victory over Manchester United, which came in a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.

Villa finished sixth that campaign for the third season in a row – and have not reached those heights since. Dean Smith’s side are in a transition period following the departure of Jack Grealish but the signs have been promising over the past couple of weeks.

An impressive performance at Stamford Bridge ultimately ended in a 3-0 defeat two weeks ago, but Villa’s display was the “catalyst” for the 3-0 win over Everton the following matchday, according to Smith – who wants his side to bring the same positive approach into this afternoon’s fixture.

“It’s a massive club with a massive history, and they’re going to be pushing to challenge the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea,” he said.

“Our job is to go there and go toe-to-toe with them like we did at Chelsea.”

I wonder what the odds are of Manchester United getting a penalty this afternoon?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer raised the fact that United have yet to be awarded a penalty so far this season, after they had two clear appeals turned down against West Ham last weekend, and appeared to take a swipe at Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

“A certain manager last year was starting to worry about us getting penalties and after that it seems like the decisions are more difficult to give,” Solskjaer said.

“I’ve seen a big difference since then on. So leave it to the refs and make the right calls very soon. We just have to hope we get what we deserve. We should have had three penalties in the last two games.”

United received 11 penalties in the Premier League last season, more than any side other than Leicester (12), including two against Aston Villa.

In fact, United have been awarded a penalty in each of their last three matches against today’s opponents.

Cristiano Ronaldo, of course, returns to the United line-up after he was rested for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat against West Ham.

Ronaldo has scored more Premier League goals against Aston Villa than any other opponent with eight goals in 12 appearances from his first spell at the club.

The forward won 11 of those games against Villa, drawing the other, and will be aiming to score in the third successive Premier League game since returning United this season.

Manchester United are unchanged from last Sunday’s 2-1 win over West Ham, with Edinson Cavani returning to the bench. Jadon Sancho, Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek are also among the United substitutes, while there is no place for Dean Henderson.

Villa make one change from the team that started the 3-0 win over Everton, with Kortney Hause coming in for Axel Tuanzebe – who cannot play against his parent club. Dean Smith keeps his 3-5-2 formation, as Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins continue their partnership up front. Matt Targett and John McGinn have been passed fit but Leon Bailey is out with a thigh injury.