Marcus Rashford was on the scoresheet for Manchester United once again as Aston Villa's 28-year run in the top flight of English football officially came to an end.
In a largely dull game that summed up how both teams have played this season, 18-year-old Rashford proved the bright spark when he converted Antonio Valencia's cross after 32 minutes with an instinctive first-time finish.
Returning skipper Wayne Rooney was involved in the build-up to the winner on his first start since mid-February as Louis van Gaal's side kept the pressure on Manchester City in the race for a top-four place.
Marcus Rashord celebrates scoring his seventh goal of the season after putting Manchester United ahead against Aston Villa
The 18-year-old sweeps home Antonio Valencia's cutback from the right to give the home side a first-half advantage at Old Trafford
The striker (left) is congratulated by Wayne Rooney, who returned to the starting line-up for the first time since his knee injury
The Villa players look dejected after United's goal as the club's relegation to the Championship was confirmed with four games left
For long periods, they sat back deep enough to leave United with an old-fashioned 4-2-4 formation with Juan Mata and Memphis Depay either side or Rooney and Rashford, with Rooney dropping deeper when he needed to.
Even so, the earliest penetration came from right back Valencia whose cross was headed for a corner by Leandro Bacuna just as Mata wound himself up for an overhead kick. Marcos Rojo then headed over the resulting corner swung over by Memphis.
Rooney leads the United team out ahead of kick-off after being recalled the starting XI for the first time since February
Anthony Martial, who has been one of United's best performers this season, dropped to bench for the clash with Aston Villa
United captain Rooney looks to get the better of Aston Villa midfielder Leandro Bacuna during the early exchanges at Old Trafford
Teenage sensation Rashford applied pressure to Aston Villa midfielder Idrissa Gana as United attempt to win back possession
Villa fans poked fun at Rooney by chanting 'Are you Gabby in disguise?', a reference to their own captain Gabby Agbonlahor who was left out by interim manager Eric Black in order to go on a diet. But he gave a satisfactory performance before he was withdrawn after an hour to applause from United's supporters.
If the FA Cup win at West Ham in midweek was meant to have given Van Gaal's players a massive shot in the arm, it wasn't obvious.
They were able to get on the ball and get men forward but it was patient rather than pulsating. Mata tried to feed Rooney – back from a knee injury – while Marouane Fellaini headed over.
As has happened often in recent weeks, it was Rashford who quickened the pulse by turning Ashley Westwood and fizzing in a cross that Joleon Lescott nearly sliced into his own net. At the other end of the scale, Mata's shot was so wayward it flew out for a throw.
It was the deadly Rashford who broke the deadlock to save United the embarrassment of failing to score for the 23rd time in the first half this season.
Aston Villa supporters let their feeling towards the club's owner Randy Lerner be known as they unfurl a banner calling for him to leave
Manchester United winger Memphis Depay looks to get his cross in as Aston Villa full back Alan Hutton slides in to make a challenge
United midfielder Marouane Fellaini (centre) climbs above Villa defender Joleon Lescott as he aims a header towards goal
Morgan Schneiderlin puts his hands on Villa forward Jordan Ayew as the French midfielder attempts to wrestle possession back
Credit to Valencia, who again compensated for Mata's lack of width by bombing down the right to collect Rooney's quickly-taken free kick. His cutback into the area was met brilliantly first-time by Rashford, who kept his stabbed right-foot finish low to beat Guzan from eight yards.
It was close to the goalkeeper but by taking the chance early the young United striker benefitted from the element of surprise.
It was the teenager's seventh goal in 12 games since being fast-tracked into the line-up by Van Gaal and they have all been different types. If nothing else, the United manager deserves credit not only for picking Rashford but for sticking with him when most managers would have sent him back to the reserves to “rest”.
Right on half-time, Jordan Ayew had Villa's first proper chance of the half, which he created himself by cleverly turning inside Morgan Schneiderlin. By the time he pulled the trigger though, United had enough numbers back to block the shot.
Rashford was busy in the thick of the action at the start of the second period. First, he could have gone down as Alan Hutton came to challenge but stayed on his feet though the ball ran out of play. He then shot narrowly wide as he again found space in the box.
Rashford steers the ball into the corner of the net to open the scoring after 32 minutes despite Ciaran Clark's attempt to block it
Rashford wheels away in celebration with his arms outstretched after scoring his fourth Premier League goal for United
Rashford (left) is embraced by by Memphis after the 18-year-old put the home side ahead against the basement club
Juan Mata (centre) finds himself surrounded as he attempts to find space on the edge of the Aston Villa penalty area
Black will have been pleased that Villa were less awful than they have been in recent months but 16 points from 34 games tells its own story.
Two managers, a director of football and a chief executive have already gone in this season horiblus.
In the summer, there will be a revolving door of players – presuming another club wants the current lot – and owner Randy Lerner will try to persuade David Moyes or someone of that ilk the club is worth being part of.
Apart from Ayew, there seemed to be a distinct lack of quality on the pitch at Old Trafford. They registered only a single shot on target.
Memphis watches on as his free-kick deflects off the Aston Villa wall before falling kindly for Brad Guzan to make an easy save
Villa full back Kieran Richardson grabs a handful of Rashford's shirt as the United teenager uses his pace
United winger Memphis takes a tumble after being tripped by Richardson, who earned the game's first yellow card
Rooney lasted 67 minutes on his return to the starting line-up before being replaced by midfielder Jesse Lingard
Memphis, who hasn't enjoyed the greatest of seasons for United, found no difficulty in skipping past three challenges and Guzan did well to claw away his cross-shot as the home side searched for a second goal. Daley Blind's quick low corner then found Mata whose shot to the near post was again beaten away by the 'keeper
Jesse Lingard was sent on for Rooney as United tried to put the game to bed. Ayew continued to chase lost causes for Villa was and was painfully shunted into the advertising hoardings for his trouble.
Gestede came on and Villa belatedly gave it a go. The substitute had a chance from six yards until Daley Blind came across to smother the shot. From Westwood's corner, Gestede struck the woodwork. Ciaran Clark then header over from a corner.
If the appreciation for Rooney was warm, Rashford got the full standing ovation when he made way for Anthony Martial with 14 minutes left. It was deserved, he alone made the ticket-holders forget the rain and chill wind.
United defender Chris Smalling holds off Aston Villa forward Ayew to head the ball clear as Villa searched for an eqilaiser
Aston Villa's players leave the field at full-time having had their relegation to the second tier of English football confirmed
Aston Villa supporters air their frustrations at how their club has been run culminating with a disastrous season that ends in relegation
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