Manchester United 1-0 Aston Villa: Scott McTominay header gives Ralf Rangnick first FA Cup victor

Manchester United reached the FA Cup fourth round with a nervy win over Aston Villa courtesy of Scott McTominay's eighth-minute header at Old Trafford.

Fred's perceptive cross from the right found the lurking McTominay in space behind the visiting defence, planting a header beyond Emiliano Martinez that ultimately secured United's progress.

Villa boss Steven Gerrard, who was an FA Cup managerial debutant alongside United manager Ralf Rangnick, watched Ollie Watkins rattle the crossbar with a first-half shot after pouncing on a Victor Lindelof error.

Scott McTominay (right) grins after opening the scoring for Manchester United at Old Trafford

The midfielder's eighth-minute header was enough to decide the nervy win against Aston Villa

Gerrard's side dominated the early exchanges of the second half and thought they had equalised when Danny Ings poked Tyrone Mings' header beyond David de Gea following a John McGinn header.

The goal was ruled out following a pitchside monitor check by referee Michael Oliver, only for Villa to find the net again minutes later when Ollie Watkins stabbed in Ings' pass with De Gea and Lindelof stranded.

Watkins was less contentiously offside, but United looked ragged and picked up a string of yellow cards as they attempted to reassert themselves.

Danny Ings pounces to equalise for Aston Villa in the second half before seeing VAR intervene

Ollie Watkins (right) had the ball in the net shortly afterwards but the goal was also chalked off

The hosts held on despite an underwhelming performance and will now host Middlesbrough in the next round.

The Red Devils travel to Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.

Sportsmail's Ben Miller provided live FA Cup third round coverage of Manchester United vs Aston Villa.