Manchester United are taking on Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Erik ten Hag has a close to a fully-fit squad and there’s a feeling that momentum is building ahead of the business end of the campaign, but United faced a big challenge in the form of Villa.
Lisandro Martinez was not available after sustaining a knee injury against West Ham and was replaced by Raphael Varane. Aaron Wan-Bissaka suffered a setback in training and wasn’t available for selection either.
Villa started the match full of energy, but United struck first when Rasmus Hojlund stroked home a Harry Maguire header from a corner after 16 minutes. Andre Onana made two fine saves to keep the Reds ahead at the break.
Douglas Luiz equalised midway through the second half, but then substitute Scott McTominay headed home a cross from Diogo Dalot in the dying minutes to win it for United.
UNITED XI: Onana, Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund, Rashford. Subs: Bayindir, Evans, Lindelof, Amad, Amrabat, Eriksen, Forson, McTominay, Antony.
Follow below for live updates from Villa Park and see how you can watch the match here.
19:01Steven Railston
Ten Hag’s three tactical changes inspire win vs Aston Villa
“Attack, attack, attack,” the United supporters implored. Scott McTominay went one better.
Three times now this season McTominay has emerged to score. Nothing will ever top the drama and the ecstasy of his rescue act against Brentford but this is the more vital matchwinner.
McTominay attempted to hurdle the barriers and the stewards to embrace the United supporters in the Doug Ellis Stand. They have enjoyed some unforgettable days at Villa Park and this was another.
United are on the charge now. A first away win at a top-eight team since October 2021 and a four-game winning streak for the first time this season signal that.
Villa will rue not extending their advantage to 11 points and returning to the top four. Now it has been trimmed to five points and they are fifth. This was Villa’s third successive defeat at home. They are wobbling and tumbling.
Rasmus Hojlund had the privilege of departing the pitch and making his way past the United supporters, crowning the day he bookended his goalscoring streak against Villa of five goals in as many league games. Hojlund clenched his fist. He reunited with them again at full-time.
Hojlund quickly endeared himself to United supporters on his debut at Arsenal back in September and that is intensifying now he is among the goals. His work-rate in his own half drew applause as he motored back to halt an attack.
Read the match report here.
18:30Steven Railston
How would you rate the players?
Have your say below after a hugely important win.
18:30Key Event
United player ratings vs Villa after massive late goal wins it
Andre Onana: Saved well from John McGinn and Ollie Watkins but brought about some of the pressure through his hesitancy. Made another vital stop from Watkins 6
Diogo Dalot: So good in the first half some of his tackles were reminiscent of Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Did much more defending than attacking. 8
Raphael Varane: Resorted to some last-ditch defending when Villa penned United in and his expert awareness was needed with United ahead and level. 7
Harry Maguire: Vindicated his selection at the opposite end by assisting Rasmus Hojlund and defensively solid on a busy afternoon. 8
Luke Shaw: Managed the game well, albeit at the cost of his attacking and came off at half-time for Victor Lindelof. 7
Casemiro: Struggled to shield the back four or cover ample ground. Erroneously booked and often overrun by Villa’s more energetic midfielders. 5
The ratings continue here.
This article was originally published by a www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .