United struggle past Villa

Without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United laboured to a 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup thanks to Scott McTominay’s early goal yesterday. McTominay met a curling cross from fellow midfielder Fred to glance home a header in the eighth minute and seal a home match against second-tier Middlesbrough in the fourth round next month. Ronaldo was absent because of a hip injury that the club described as ‘‘minor,’’ and United were fairly lacklustre as an attacking force at Old Trafford.