Reds roar back to stay third
Goals in the final 20 minutes from Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko ensured that Utd stretched their lead from the sides below them. It was a starring display from Bruno Fernandes who set up two and created four. It is a huge turn around in form from the last time we played them.
It is yet more dropped points from the away side who continue to fall away in the league. They looked to have been in the game when Ross Barkley scored an equaliser but were unable to hang on. They are now in danger of falling out of Champions League qualification if form continues.
Michael Carrick made two changes from the side who lost 2-1 to Newcastle 11 days ago. Noussair Mazraoui who was struggling with a knock was replaced by Diogo Dalot. Amad Diallo came back into the side ahead of Benjamin Sesko. They were joined on the bench by Mason Mount who returned having missed the last six games.
Unai Emery made three changes from their win at Lille on Thursday. Captain John McGinn came back into the side along with Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley. Jadon Sancho was not eligible against his parent club whilst Douglas Luiz and Pau Torres dropped to the bench.
It was an uninspired opening 20 quarter to the game. The visitors were content to sit in their compact shape and try and hit on the break. United were too slow with their attacks and often sloppy with their passing. Much of the same issues that blighted them against Newcastle. The best opportunity in this period came when Matheus Cunha crossed on his weaker left foot. It was unable to pick out anyone but Amad Diallo claimed he had been held back.
The Ivorian perhaps should had done better on 22 minutes. Bruno Fernandes swung in a corner from the right that was met by the head of Harry Maguire who put into right into the danger zone. Diallo flicked it goal-wards, but it was tipped away by Emiliano Martinez.
Fernandes was starting to control proceedings and he created opportunities for Casemiro and Diogo Dalot. Neither were able to find a breakthrough. Luke Shaw produced an important block at the other end to deny Ollie Watkins.
It was Fernandes who was at the heart of the opener eight minutes into the second-half. He initially set up Bryan Mbeumo for a chance that was saved by Martinez. From the subsequent corner, Fernandes crossed it into the near post which was met by the head of Casemiro. It beat the attempted save of Martinez for his seventh goal of the season.
The game was starting to open up and both teams had opportunities from Dalot at one end and Amadou Onana at the other.
It was the visitors to score next though on 65 minutes. Lucas Digne picked up the ball and played in a low cross. It came all the way to Ross Barkley at the back-post who swept it home past Senne Lammens. A VAR check for a possible brush off the arm of Onana on the way in was cleared.
It could have gone either way at this point but the home side were ahead six minutes later. Fernandes picked up the ball in midfield and played the ball through the middle. Mbeumo had cleverly distracted the Villa back-line to allow Cunha escape the attention of Ezra Konza to slide it past Martinez into his bottom corner. It was Bruno’s 16th assist of the season breaking the record held by David Beckham.
The insurance goal came on 81 minutes and it was a well-worked team effort. Fernandes started it with some neat dribbling before Casemiro swept it out wide to Cunha. His cross was not dealt with properly from the Villa defence and substitute Benjamin Sesko swivelled and shot past Martinez for his usual goal off the bench. It was his fifth in seventh games.
Neither side were able to create much of note in the closing stages despite Villa seeing more of the ball. The home side were able to hold on for the win which sees them go three points clear of their opponents. It also increases the calls for Carrick to be named as permanent manager. We are up next on Friday night with a trip to Bournemouth. Aston Villa must try and recover when they face West Ham on Sunday.
Manchester United: Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Carlos Casemiro (Manuel Ugarte 90), Kobee Mainoo, Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo (Benjamin Sesko 65).
Subs not used: Altay Bayinder, Noussair Mazraoui, Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee, Tyrell Malacia, Ayden Heaven, Tyler Fletcher.
Booked: Casemiro (60), Leny Yoro (71), Harry Maguire (90+6)
Sent off:
Aston Villa: Emiliano Martinez, Lamare Bogarde, Ezri Konza, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne (Ian Maatsen 82), Ross Barkley (Douglas Luiz 82), Amadou Onana, John McGinn (Leon Bailey 61), Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Buendia (Andreas Garcia 86), Ollie Watkins (Tammy Abraham 61).
Subs not used: Marco Bizot, Victor Lindelof, Harvey Elliott, Pau Torres.
Booked: Ollie Watkins (42), Emiliano Buendia (70)
Sent off: None.
Referee: Anthony Taylor.
Attendance: 73,997
Simply Red Man of the Match: Bruno Fernandes
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