Manchester United 3, Aston Villa 2
Rasmus Hojlund scored his first Premier League goal as Manchester United came from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
Alejandro Garnacho had scored a second half double to get Manchester United back on terms after Aston Villa had raced into a first half lead with goals by John McGinn and Leander Dendocker.
The game was relatively even until the 21st and 26th minutes when Aston Villa capitalised on a goalkeeping error by Andre Onana to take the lead direct from a John McGann free kick before a corner routine by McGinn was converted by Leander Dendocker with a clever back heel after Clement Lenglet headed the ball back into the six yard box.
United employed some rank amateur attempts to break the Aston Villa offside trap, plus some selfish shots on goal which were saved by Emiliano Martinez as Villa remained comfortable against the Reds.
Rashford’s struggle with the offside flag continued onto he second half when he passed early for Alejandro Garnacho to break the United duck after 47 minutes only for VAR to rule it out of a clear offside.
Villa lost Lucas Digne to injury as he tried to clear Garnacho’s goal bound shot.
There was further controversy as Martinez cleared the ball outside his area, cleaning out Rashford in the follow through after the striker hesitated while the crowd bayed for a red card that was never coming.
But United soon had a goal back, in the 59th minute as Rashford got his offside timing right to find Garcacho to score from close range.
That got the crowd going and Garnacho fired in the equaliser after 71 minutes after the ball was recycled from the right after Bruno Fernandes’ cross was blocked.
The crowd were on their feet by this point and they were rewarded after 82 minutes of intensity by Rasmus Hojlund’s first Premier League goal as Old Trafford rose to the occasion and boosted the Reds up to an unlikely 6th place.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 3, Aston Villa 2
Andre Onana: 6. Was missing for Aston Villa’s first goal. Crucial save in the second half from Leon Bailey.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 6. Tried to push into midfield and caught out.
Jonny Evans: 7. Some solid early defending. Blocked a shot by John McGinn on the line with the scores level at 2-2.
Raphael Varane: 6. Flooded by Villa players.
Diogo Dalot: 5. Unfamiliar left back role and he was targeted y Aston Villa. Gave away the ball in crucial moment, lucky to get away with it but gave away the corner that allowed Villa to get their second goal.
Kobbie Mainoo: 6. Had hands full looking after John McGinn.
Christian Eriksen: 7. Sprayed passes around and had an early shot saved by Emiliano Martinez. Faded in the second half.
Marcus Rashford: 6. Restored to left wing role. Had a couple of shots saved when he came inside and was wayward with his shooting, poor judgement of offside which led to Alejandro Garnacho’s goal being ruled out. Finally got it right after 59 minutes with a pass to Alejandro Garnacho to start the comeback.
Bruno Fernandes: 7. Started going for goal early with some terrible shooting. At least he tested Martinez and some of his passes were adventurous – started the move that ended with the equaliser.
Alejandro Garnacho: 8. Lively start on the right flank with balls into the box when he could but was soon throwing his arms into the air in frustration. Tried to take matters into his own hands but his shooting was poor and had a goal called off for offside before he slotted him a second chance. Also sent a potential equaliser wide of the back post before burying the equaliser.
Rasmus Hojlund: 6. Worked hard up front, people tried to find him but he could not make the most of the chances. Celebrated wildly when he reacted first to a loose ball to put United into the lead.
Antony (on for Marcus Rashford, 80): No time to mark
Scott McTominay (on for Kobbie Mainoo, 80): No time to mark
Hannibal (on for Christian Eriksen, 90+5): No time to mark
Dan Gore (on for Alejandro Garnacho, 90+5): No time to mark
Willy Kambwala (on for Rasmus Hojlund, 89): No time to mark
TEAM NEWS – Manchester United 3, Aston Villa 2
Raphael Varane shook off a knock to start at Old Trafford against Aston Villa but Luke Shaw and Sofyan Amrabat were missing with minor injuries.
Joining Varane in the side was Diogo Dalot, Christian Eriksen, and Marcus Rashford.
Stepping down from the side that lost at West Ham were Willy Kambwala, Shaw, Scott McTominay, and Antony.
GOALS – Manchester United 3, Aston Villa 2
Man Utd 0, Aston Villa 1: 21. John McGinn’s looping free kick evaded everyone and went in despite best efforts of a group of Villa players to get the final touch with United defenders trying to stop them.
Man Utd 0, Aston Villa 2: 26. Leander Dendoncker back heeled the ball past Andre Onana after Clement Lenglet headed a corner by John McGinn back into the 6 yard box.
Man Utd 1, Aston Villa 2: 59. Bruno Fernandes intercepted a ball into midfield before finding Marcus Rashford whose ball from the left flank found Alejandro Garnacho sliding in to finish.
Man Utd 2, Aston Villa 2: 71. Alejandro Garnacho’s shot took a wicked deflection off Diego Carlos to wrong foot Emiliano Martinez after Bruno Fernandes’ initial cross was blocked by Clement Lenglet.
Man Utd 3, Aston Villa 2: 82. Rasmus Hojlund finally got his first Premier League goal when Bruno Fernandes’ corner was flicked on by Jonny Evans, the loose ball came off John McGinn and the Danish striker reacted first with a first time volley past Martinez.
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 3, Aston Villa 2
Man Utd: Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Evans, Varane, Dalot, Mainoo (McTominay 80), Eriksen (Hannibal 90+5), Rashford (Antony 80), Fernandes (C), Garnacho (Gore 90+5), Hojlund (Kambwala 89)
Man Utd Subs not used: Bayindir, Reguilon, Pellistri, van de Beek
Booking: Fernandes (dissent)
Goals: Garnacho 59, 71; Hojlund 82
Aston Villa: E Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Lenglet, Digne (Moreno 50), Bailey (Zaniolo 77), McGinn (C) (Duran 86), Luiz, Jacob Ramsey (Diaby 77), Dendoncker (Iroegbunam 86), Watkins
Aston Villa Subs not used: Marschall, Torres, Chambers, Procter
Booked: Ramsey 40+2 (foul on Alejandro Garnacho); Diego Carlos (foul on Alejandro Garnacho); Konsa (foul on Alejandro Garnacho 86)
Goals: McGinn 21, Dendoncker 26
Attendance: 73,574
Referee: Craig Pawson