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Marcus Rashford scored his fourth league goal of the season

Aston Villa have been relegated to English football's second tier for the first time since 1987 after defeat at Manchester United.

Marcus Rashford scored the only goal, sweeping Antonio Valencia's cut-back past goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Villa were second best for much of the game, although Rudy Gestede's volley did hit a post late on.

It was a ninth straight loss for the visitors and left them 15 points from safety with only four matches left.

Relive the action from Old Trafford

Reaction from Saturday's other Premier League games

Aston Villa: How club went from Europe to relegation

Does 'anarchy' beckon for Villa?

European Cup winners in 1982, Aston Villa have a proud history but are facing a turbulent immediate future.

Caretaker manager Eric Black has spoken of the danger of the club falling into "anarchy" at the end of a miserable campaign played out against the backdrop of fan protests against Randy Lerner's ownership.

Last time Villa were relegated to the old second division they immediately returned under Graham Taylor and finished second in the top flight the following season.

At Old Trafford they were outplayed for the majority of the game until the introduction of Gestede gave the travelling supporters hope of salvaging something from the day they finally went down.

It was not to be though - and not many of those 1,500 or so supporters will expect their team to be competing in the Champions League by 2018.

Rooney's return

Victory for United means they keep up the pressure on Manchester City in fourth place.

Rooney was at times forced to drop and pick up the ball in front of his centre-backs as Villa defended deeply. Of his performance Van Gaal said: "He played a very good first half, switched the play a lot of times. In the second half he loses balls because he is tired and the rhythm is still high. When you are two months out it is difficult."

This was an important win in the race for a Champions League spot, and important too for the return of forward Wayne Rooney, who last played in the Premier League on 13 February.

The England captain was not at his best - one heavy touch on the edge of the box saw a golden chance slip away - but he played his part in a solid all-round performance from Louis van Gaal's team.

The 18-year-old Rashford - who now has seven goals in 12 United appearances - should have added to his brilliantly taken first but prodded wide under pressure in a bright start to the second half, before Juan Mata could only fire straight at Guzan from a short corner.

Gestede almost drew Villa level when striking the post from a corner with just over five minutes to play, but United winger Memphis Depay was also denied by the post soon after - and United were deserved winners.

What they said

Aston Villa caretaker manager Eric Black: "It's a mood of disappointment. What I will say is today I thought [the Villa players] were outstanding - energy levels, desire to stick to the plan.

Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa: Players are devastated - Eric Black

"But for some misfortune, I thought we could have got a draw. I know there has been criticism - some of it deserved - but today they showed there was some pride for the shirt.

"There are players in there capable of playing in the Championship. People in certain places will make sure that Villa will come back, I'm confident of that. That process has to start now."

Man Utd didn't play well - Van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "We have three points and make some distance from Southampton and West Ham, so the three points are very important. I'm not too happy with the performance. We have to finish the games a lot earlier and today we didn't do that.

"I have said to the boys before the match that Chelsea can beat Manchester City. City have the problem we had in that they have played this week and Chelsea didn't so they are more prepared. They can beat them I hope."

Man of the match - Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

Rashford was full of movement throughout and showed a touch of real class for his sweetly taken finish. The home fans gave him a brilliant send-off when Anthony Martial came on to replace him.

The stats you need to know

Aston Villa's relegation is the earliest from the Premier League since Portsmouth were relegated with five games to go in 2009-10.

Villa have won none of their past 13 Premier League meetings with Manchester United (W0 D3 L10).

In total United have lost just once in their past 41 Premier League matches against Villa (W30 D10 L1).

The Red Devils have kept 11 clean sheets in their past 16 Premier League home matches.

Aston Villa have won none of their past 16 Premier League away games (D3 L13).

What's next?

Manchester United play at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, while Aston Villa's next match is on Saturday when they welcome Southampton to Villa Park.