Manchester United manager Michael Carrick brought Youri Tielemans back to face Aston Villa on Sunday. United needed victory to avoid spending the international break in the Premier League's bottom three.

Tielemans, who previously played in Villa's midfield, joined Noussair Mazraoui in replacing Carlos Baleba and Ayden Heaven from the side that beat Roma in Tuesday's Champions League match. Patrick Dorgu was back among the substitutes following injury.

United's starting XI to face Aston Villa 🔴📋

➡️ Youri Tielemans and Nous Mazraoui
⬅️ Carlos Baleba and Ayden Heaven
💪 @PatrickDorgu13 returns to the bench

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 8, 2026

Nottingham Forest's win over Manchester City on Saturday had sent United into the relegation zone. Liverpool's result left United 19th instead of 20th going into Sunday's game, the Manchester Evening News reported.

Carrick may need another victory over Villa to remain in charge when United face Liverpool in a fortnight, the newspaper said. The newspaper said United had not started a season so poorly in 40 years; the Evening Standard said the club had never made a worse start in the Premier League.

United had trailed Roma 2-0 before Matheus Cunha struck twice late to secure a 3-2 victory. Early in the second half, Tielemans replaced Baleba, who had been injured. The Manchester Evening News reported that Baleba's hamstring injury was expected to keep him out for a "number of weeks."

"I think the beauty of Matheus is he can play different positions across the front line," Carrick said earlier in November of Cunha, who retained his attacking place. "He's played off the left for us and did ever so well last season."

Lammens started in goal, with Dalot, Yoro, Harry Maguire and Mazraoui in defence and Mainoo alongside Tielemans in midfield. Mbeumo led the attack ahead of Amad, Fernandes and Cunha. Maguire recovered from a knock against Roma to start.

Whether Dalot or Mazraoui would occupy left-back was initially unclear.

Bruno Fernandes captained United. The Manchester Evening News reported that he was dropped to the bench in October after questioning Carrick's tactical approach. Carrick later said the pair had clearly put the issue behind them.

Shea Lacey was again a substitute after helping United defeat Roma from the bench. The 19-year-old scored within the first 10 minutes of his only senior start, against Brighton in the Carabao Cup in September. Darlow, De Ligt, Dorgu, Heaven, Andrey Santos, Fletcher, Mount and Zirkzee completed United's bench.

Lisandro Martinez missed out because of a one-game ban following his dismissal against Chelsea, where United lost, the Evening Standard reported. The paper listed Sesko, Shaw, Ugarte and Baleba as injured.

Villa came into the match without a win in three games, having drawn with Fulham and lost 3-0 to Barcelona and Bournemouth.

Unai Emery handed Taylor Harwood-Bellis his first Premier League start for Villa, replacing the suspended Matty Cash. Leon Goretzka and Alysson took the places of Joao Gomes and Emiliano Buendia.

Victor Lindelof, the former United defender, started alongside Harwood-Bellis, Torres and Maatsen in front of Suzuki. Kamara and Goretzka formed the midfield, while Alysson, Manzambi and McGinn played behind Jackson.

Bizot, Mings, Barkley, Buendia, Mbaye, Gomes, Madjo, Cisse and Hemmings were named on Villa's bench. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was not considered fit enough to make the squad.

Ready for #MUNAVL 👊

— Aston Villa (@AstonVilla) November 8, 2026

For the 4.30pm GMT match at Old Trafford, protests against the Glazer family's ownership were planned as the green and gold movement returned. Demonstrations had taken place before and during the Roma game.