Erik ten Hag raised eyebrows by naming Cristiano Ronaldo as his captain for Manchester United's clash with Aston Villa and then could only watch as his team were cut apart as Unai Emery celebrated his first game in charge at Villa Park with a convincing 3-1 win.
The hosts came flying out of the blocks and were 2-0 up inside 11 minutes. Leon Bailey fired Villa in front on seven minutes, and four minutes later David de Gea was picking the ball out of his net again after a wonderful free-kick from Lucas Digne.
United were offered hope just before half-time when Jacob Ramsey deflected Luke Shaw’s shot past Emiliano Martinez, but Villa quickly snuffed out the visitors’ dreams of a revival.
Ramsey went from villain to hero by adding a third at the start of the second half to ensure all three points and make it a perfect start for Emery.