Michael Carrick responds to Paul Scholes after social media criticism from former teammate
Scholes, Carrick’s sidekick in midfield for eight years when they were players, was critical in an Instagram post after United’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle.
“Michael has definitely got something special about him… cos Utd have been crap last four games,” he wrote.
Chris Wilson15 March 2026 12:10
Mason Mount could return for Manchester United against Aston Villa
The 27-year-old midfielder had been enjoying his best run with the Red Devils earlier this season having endured a frustrating stop-start time since swapping Stamford Bridge for Old Trafford in 2023.
Mount began Carrick’s first game in charge against Manchester City on January 17 but has since been lied low since with an unspecified issue that the head coach initially indicated would not keep him out for long.
Chris Wilson15 March 2026 12:00
When is Man Utd v Aston Villa?
Manchester United host Aston Villa in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Sunday 15 March, with kick-off at 2pm GMT.
Viewers in the UK can watch the game live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Go, with coverage beginning at 1pm. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
Chris Wilson15 March 2026 11:50
Predicted line-ups
Man Utd XI: Lammens, Mazraoui, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha, Sesko
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Bogarde, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen, Luiz, Onana, Sancho, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins
Chris Wilson15 March 2026 11:45
Team news
Villa will be boosted by the return of John McGinn, who came off the bench against Lille after missing 10 matches, and the Scotland international should be fit for the bench again as he manages his comeback from injury.
Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans remain sidelined while Matty Cash is a doubt.
Chris Wilson15 March 2026 11:38
Team news
United will be without Matthijs de Ligt and Patrick Dorgu, with Lisandro Martinez also ruled out with a calf injury which has already seen him miss three games. Mason Mount is a doubt but Noussair Mazraoui has won his race to be fit after taking a knock at Newcastle.
Chris Wilson15 March 2026 11:35
Man Utd vs Aston Villa live
A 2-1 loss to 10-man Newcastle blotted Carrick’s copybook and meant his side missed the chance to edge three points clear of Unai Emery’s men, with both tied on 51 points and United only ahead on goal difference.
But United have won all four of their home games during Carrick’s tenure and although Villa won the reverse fixture they have experienced something of a slide in the second half of this season.
But they will be full of confidence after a 1-0 win over Lille in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash and bidding to do the double over a resurgent United side.
Flo Clifford15 March 2026 11:32
Good morning
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
This match is a potentially vital one in the battle for the top five spots, with the two sides starting the day in third and fourth respectively after Chelsea’s defeat against Newcastle yesterday.
We’ll have all the latest build-up, team news and updates right here.
Chris Wilson15 March 2026 11:28

