MAN UNITED 3, ASTON VILLA 2
Manchester United produced an extraordinary fightback to come back from the dead and beat Aston Villa as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s tenure kicked off with a much-needed win.
The jeers which greeted the team leaving the field at half time when 2-0 behind turned to cheers as Erik ten Hag’s side conjured a comeback which will live long in the memory as they climbed back into the top six.
After failing to find the net for 7hrs 20min and blanks against Bayern Munich, Bournemouth, Liverpool and West Ham, the Reds amazingly scored three times in the space of 23 minutes.
Alejandro Garnacho, switched to the right wing where he is far more effective, scored twice while there was a long-awaited first Premier League goal for Rasmus Hojlund as his famine ended after 1,026 minutes.
What a time for the Dane, who has bagged five goals in the Champions League, to net his first in the league, and what an important one.
And the drama which unfolded was witnessed by Sir Dave Brailsford, a key figure in the INEOS sporting set-up which had secured a 25 per cent stake in the Old Trafford club.
The win also eased the mounting pressure on ten Hag who has become increasingly beleaguered in recent weeks after his team has already suffered 13 defeats this season in all competitions.
Ten Hag said: “In the first half, we played solidly and created chances but were sloppy for the two goals from set plays.
“In the second half we slightly changed our pressing. I said keep going which is what I demand from my team.
“I said keep believing and we will win the game and all the front line played well and were a continual threat.
“I said before the game that we were competitive with Arsenal, competitive with Liverpool so if we play our best, we can beat anyone. Believe that, even when you are two-nil down, it doesn’t matter. Keep going, show character, and today they did show we have the personality to do it. I think it was a very good team performance.”
Ten Hag also commented for the first time about the partial takeover, saying: “We are optimists. We have been kept informed during the whole process. It’s very good, we are looking forward to working with them.
“It’s positives for United I know. But for now, it was important to focus on this game for our season. It’s important for this team to get a base that we can build on.”
Embed from Getty ImagesPlayer-of-the-match Garnacho said: “It is a great feeling. We are Manchester United. We were two-nil down, but we never give up, and it was a great comeback from the team.
“I wanted to try and take control of things. I said we just needed one goal to get back into it. I got that first one, but it was offside. But as I said before we never give up, so it was a case of scoring the first goal and keeping on pressing. I am very happy for Rasmus also to get his first league goal.
“Too many people talk about the strikers at Man United, that we never score goals or get assists, but you see today Rashford with assists, goals for Rasmus and me. Everyone is very happy.
“Very happy, one of the best days of my life.”
Hojlund added: “It has been a while [waiting for a first league goal] but yes I am very happy. I am the happiest man alive right now. You can see from the celebrations as well. Like [Garnacho] said we believed in ourselves until the very end and got the win today.
“As the manager has said before I have scored a few goals in the Champions League but of course it has been a while in the Premier League before scoring. Now I have got it and I hope I can just build on that and keep going.
“Yes, I remember the goal. First-time finish in off the post, good finish so I am happy. I am happy for the three of us attackers as well because we showed a lot of character today, and a lot of confidence.”
Villa manager Unai Emery said: “Two weeks ago I was asked if we were contenders to the title and said no, and was thinking the same as I am now. Why? Because we are playing several top teams that are contenders more than we are. Of course, we are being consistent and better than a lot of teams so far this season.
“Today we missed an opportunity to have that consistency against one of the top 10 teams. This can happen. The reaction after the first goal conceded was good, we even then created a few very good chances, but that is football.
“I told the players that the first part of the season was fantastic but I want more. If they want more, we have to work hard to get it.”
United made four changes to the side that lost 2-0 to West Ham last time out. Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford all started.
Willy Kambwala, Scott McTominay and Antony dropped to the bench while Luke Shaw was not in the squad.
Villa made:two changes to the team who were held to a 1-1 draw by Sheffield United.
Diego Carlos and Leander Dendoncker both came in. Moussa Diaby was on the bench while Matty Cash missed out through suspension.
United’s troubles continued when they fell behind in the 21st minute.
John McGinn whipped in a free kick from the right which went straight in through a crowded goalmouth with keeper Andre Onana floundering for his seventh of the season.
And it quickly got worse as Villa doubled their lead four minutes later.
McGinn’s corner to the far post was headed back across the face of goal by Clement Lenglet with Dendoncker finding the net with a cheeky back heel from six yards. What a way to score his first of the campaign.
United responded positively as Bruno Fernandes fired wide and Rashford forced two decent saves from Emiliano Martinez.
Rashford also fired narrowly wide shortly before half time as the Reds looked for a way back into the game.
United thought they had halved the deficit within three minutes of the restart when Garnacho found the net.
But VAR ruled he had strayed offside when running on to Rashford’s diagonal pass before he rounded Martinez to score.
United finally ended their goal drought just short of the hour through Garnacho.
Fernandes fed Rashford on the left and his cross-field pass released Garnacho who timed his run perfectly before slotting low past Martinez for his fourth goal of the season.
Villa came close to restoring a two-goal advantage almost immediately when Leon Bailey’s effort was well kept out by Onana.
United almost drew level when the dangerous Garnacho fired narrowly wide.
But United made it 2-2 in the 71st minute when Garnacho found the net again.
Fernandes’ cross was cleared by Lenglet but only as far as Garnacho whose shot found the net with the aid of a deflection off Diego Carlos.
Villa almost regained the lead when McGinn’s goalbound shot was blocked by Jonny Evans.
United made their first two changes with 10 minutes left when Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo were replaced by McTominay and Antony.
The comeback was completed when Hojlund netted his first Premier League goal after 1,026 minutes, the Dane’s five previous efforts had all been in the Champions League.
Fernandes’ corner was flicked on by Evans and then ricocheted off McGinn to Gojlund who found the net with a left-foot volley which went into off the upright.
United made a third change with two minutes left when Hojlund made way for Kambwala followed by their final two in the nine minutes of stoppage time, Eriksen and Garnacho replaced by Dan Gore and Hannibal as they managed the closing stages well.